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Salem Township supervisors unanimously approve 2026 officers, appointments and schedules
Summary
At its Jan. 5 organizational meeting, Salem Township supervisors unanimously appointed officers and key officials for 2026, hired MBM Law as the township solicitor at $175/hour for non‑meeting work, set a 72.5¢/mile reimbursement rate and adopted meeting schedules and bank depositories for the year.
Kerry Jobe was appointed chairman of the Salem Township Board of Supervisors at the board’s annual organizational meeting on Jan. 5, 2026, after a motion by Supervisor Todd Paulich and seconded by Supervisor Bob Zundel; the three supervisors voted unanimously to approve the slate of officers and appointments.
The board also unanimously approved appointments that set the township’s administration for the year: Bob Zundel as vice‑chairman; Kelly Otto as secretary‑treasurer; designation of Kerry Jobe as head of office; and the appointment of full‑time roadmasters and part‑time roadmaster roles among the supervisors. The board named Doug Regola township engineer and primary sewage enforcement officer, with Richard Bourg as secondary SEO and Dave Jobe retained as an alternate to complete outstanding 2025 permit work.
In other business the supervisors hired MBM Law as township solicitor at no monthly retainer and a rate of $175 per hour for work performed outside of meetings. Supervisor Kerry Jobe said the change followed a long tenure by Solicitor Falatovich and was intended to provide faster, more on‑site coverage: "This is not a referendum on Solicitor Falatovich. He was there for us when we needed him," Jobe said, and added that MBM would assign two attorneys to work with the township.
Residents raised questions during the solicitor discussion. Resident Debbie Perino asked whether selecting a firm would mean rotating attorneys from a large staff; Kerry Jobe replied the township would rely primarily on two attorneys and would not have an entire firm handling its business.
The board also approved administrative resolutions and housekeeping motions: Resolution 02‑2026 appointing Kelly Otto as secretary‑treasurer and setting compensation; Resolution 03‑2026 naming First Commonwealth Bank, PNC Bank, S&T Bank, Commercial National Bank and Citizens Bank as authorized depositories; designation of Delmont Salem News as the primary newspaper and The Tribune‑Review as secondary for legal notices; renewal of membership with the Indiana‑Westmoreland Council of Governments; and retention of Jobe Inspection LLC as a third‑party inspection agency for permits and inspections under Ordinance No. 05‑2004. The supervisors set the 2026 meeting calendar for regular board and Planning Commission meetings, with a note that dates may be re‑advertised if necessary.
Financial and operational changes approved included raising the standard business mileage reimbursement to 72.5 cents per mile for 2026 and adoption of Resolution 05‑2026, which amended fees associated with on‑lot sewage disposal systems. The board also hired Sam White to conduct the 2025 fiscal audit for a total of $7,995.
The meeting concluded after a short new‑business discussion in which residents suggested reimbursing Planning Commission volunteers or adding paid staff to handle planning tasks; Planning Commission Chair Connie Mattei said recently adopted procedures should reduce time demands and streamline review. The supervisors adjourned at 8:05 p.m.; the first regular supervisors meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Salem Township Municipal Building.
