Salem Township auditors approve 2026 pay, benefits for roadmasters amid stalled paving contracts

The Salem Township Board of Auditors voted on Jan. 6 to set 2026 pay, leave and benefits for the township’s roadmasters and discussed problems with recently awarded paving contracts that left a Forbes Road project on hold.

The board approved a $33.40 hourly rate for full-time roadmasters — a 2.8% increase from 2025’s $32.50 rate — with auditors Matt Rebitch and Nick Cornell voting for and David Leitza opposing the motion. Leitza had proposed $34.00 per hour, but that alternative failed for lack of a second. Matt Rebitch, newly appointed chair at the meeting, said he proposed the $33.40 figure because "a significant raise wasn't given last year because no roads were paved in 2024." The board set the part-time rate at $31.40 per hour.

The meeting included a detailed explanation of the township’s recent paving bids by Kerry Jobe, who described why the Forbes Road project did not proceed this year. According to Kerry, Tresco initially won the COG bids but insisted the township use its supplied materials rather than allowing bidders such as Derry Construction to provide their own. The township rebid and received three bids: Tresco at $152,000 and Hiles Construction and Redstone tied at $102,000. Redstone was later awarded the August contract but did not schedule or complete the work despite repeated calls and e-mails, leaving the Forbes Road project on hold. "We received 3 bids in May or June... Redstone was awarded the bid in August and they never did the work even after several phone calls and e-mails," Kerry said.

Auditors also approved overtime at time-and-a-half for hours exceeding 40 in a workweek (including paid holidays, sick days and vacation days), 19 vacation days with up to five days carryover, an accumulation and payout policy for sick days (up to 30 days accumulated, paid at the rate in effect when earned), and a list of paid holidays for full-time roadmasters. The board authorized continued participation in existing pension and insurance plans for full-time roadmasters and approved a $225 annual boot allowance (raised from $200 in 2025). "I didn't purchase boots in 2025 because I only worked eight hours as roadmaster," Kerry said during the boot-allowance discussion.

The board set the township business mileage reimbursement rate at $0.725 per mile (up 2.5 cents per PSATS notification). Chair Rebitch asked township worker Bob Zundel whether he still used a personal vehicle for township business; Zundel said he continues to use his truck and does not charge mileage. Auditors noted that not seeking mileage reimbursements can reduce paperwork but also removes some accountability.

Votes at a glance: 1.A appointed Matt Rebitch as chair (unanimous); 1.B appointed Kelly Otto as secretary (unanimous); 1.C set full-time roadmaster wage at $33.40 (2–1, Leitza opposed); 1.D set part-time wage at $31.40 (unanimous); 1.E approved overtime policy (unanimous); 1.F–1.G vacation and carryover policies (unanimous); 1.H–1.1 sick-day accumulation and payout (unanimous); 1.J paid holidays (unanimous); 1.K funeral leave (unanimous); 1.L benefits/pension participation (unanimous); 1.M boot allowance $225 (unanimous); 1.N mileage rate $0.725 (unanimous); 10 tabled Resolution No. 01-2026 (unanimous); 1.P scheduled second auditors meeting Jan. 21, 2026 (unanimous); 1.Q adjourned at 6:46 p.m. (unanimous).

The board tabled Resolution No. 01-2026 (the formal resolution confirming roadmaster compensation) for final adoption at a second auditors meeting on Jan. 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Salem Township Municipal Building. The meeting will be limited to affirming these minutes and approving Resolution 01-2026.