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Penn Township manager to retire after 48 years; board appoints interim manager
Summary
Penn Township Board of Supervisors accepted the retirement of Township Manager Linda D. Zerfoss, effective July 2, 2026, approved a retirement agreement honoring her 48 years of service, and appointed Mary Hess as Interim Township Manager with pay set at $60/hour and no full-time benefits.
Linda D. Zerfoss, Penn Township's township manager since 1978, will retire at the close of business on July 2, 2026, the Board of Supervisors announced June 25. The board voted to accept her retirement and to approve a Retirement Agreement intended to ensure a seamless management transition.
Board leaders and residents on Thursday praised Zerfoss's long tenure and institutional knowledge. Supervisor Matthew Salina summarized her 48 years with the township, noting she began as police secretary in 1978 and previously worked in Arlington, Virginia, supporting the FBI and the Pentagon. Chairman Douglas A. Roth recalled first meeting Zerfoss in 1981 and thanked her for decades of service; Administrative Assistant Nicole A. Tempalski also spoke about Zerfoss's mentorship.
In formal motions, Supervisor Salina moved to accept Zerfoss's retirement; Chairman Roth seconded, and the motion carried. Roth then moved to approve a Retirement Agreement recognizing her service and providing for transition planning; Salina seconded and the motion carried.
To maintain continuity in operations, the board moved to hire Mary Hess as Interim Township Manager. The motion—made by Supervisor Salina and seconded by Chairman Roth—set Hess's compensation at $60.00 per hour, limited her to no more than 40 hours per week, and stated she shall not be considered a full-time employee for the purpose of employee benefits. The motion specified an initial hire date of June 15, 2026, for transitional work alongside Zerfoss and an official appointment effective at the close of business on July 2, 2026; the motion carried.
At the meeting, Zerfoss addressed attendees and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the township. Several residents offered short public comments thanking her for her service; one made a light-hearted comment about a Disneyland trip. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:10 p.m.
The board did not record a roll-call vote tally in the minutes beyond noting that each motion "carried." The Retirement Agreement and interim appointment were approved on June 25; the township will implement transition steps with the Interim Manager and staff to cover administrative functions after Zerfoss's departure.
