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Board authorizes ordinance advertisement, names interim zoning officer and outlines fire-department succession
Summary
The board authorized advertising an amended township manager ordinance (discussion focused on education/ job-description language), approved advertisement for a Mill Creek Preserve meadow conversion, and appointed Lee Greenberg interim zoning officer while announcing the retirement of Fire Marshal Joe Fissenmeyer and internal promotions to fill fire department roles.
At its July 23 meeting, the Warrington Board of Supervisors voted to advertise an amended and restated township manager ordinance (tabled from June) and approved related personnel and project items.
Supervisor (S13) urged the board to consider elevating minimum education or training requirements for the township manager in the ordinance text, arguing Warrington’s complexity warrants stronger qualification language. Other supervisors said the job description can be referenced in the ordinance and amended more readily than the ordinance itself; the board elected to advertise the proposed ordinance as written and retain the ability to amend it after public comment.
The board also voted to advertise the Mill Creek Preserve meadow conversion work (a corrected acreage total of 24 acres across two fields) and approved the advertisement motion without objection. The meadow conversion will use mowing, herbicide application, and two planning cycles as outlined in the grant-derived scope.
Personnel actions and succession: Chair announced the retirement of Fire Marshal Joe Fissenmeyer (54 years of fire service, 19 years with the township) and outlined an internal succession plan. Lee Greenberg (S6) said Kevin Craig will be appointed fire marshal with the rank of battalion chief effective July 29; another firefighter will be promoted to captain and a part-time firefighter will begin Sept. 2. The board praised Fissenmeyer’s long service.
The board appointed Lee Greenberg interim zoning officer (the effective date was moved from July 26 to July 24 to keep permit processing moving while the incoming township manager is onboard). Supervisors discussed whether the incoming manager should make permanent hires; Greenberg and staff described a short contract with Barry Isett (consultant) at $60/hour to cover permit review 20–25 hours per week while a permanent search is completed.
Why it matters: Advertising the manager ordinance begins a public-notice process that could shape future hiring and manager responsibilities. Appointment of an interim zoning officer and the short-term consultant plan are operational moves to maintain permitting continuity while the township transitions managers.
Next steps: The ordinance will be advertised for public comment; staff will continue the search for a permanent zoning officer and present candidates after the incoming manager is onboard.
