Weirton Water Board to begin interview process for new director
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WEIRTON - The Weirton Area Water Board is set to begin interviews for its new water director next week.
The board met in special session Friday to continue its discussion on the process to fill the job as a result of the upcoming retirement of Utilities Director A.D. "Butch" Mastrantoni.
"We’ve got three applications in hand," Mastrantoni informed the board Friday, noting none of them had been opened prior to the meeting.
While the Sept. 30 deadline to submit applications has passed, officials noted the job posting had set a postal deadline of Sept. 29, which, they said, could mean the possibility of some applications coming by mail would arrive early next week.
"We might want to wait a couple of days," Mastrantoni said.
Dan Guida, the board’s legal counsel, agreed, saying mail delivery tends to take longer these days.
Mastrantoni announced his plans for retirement during a special Water Board meeting Aug. 26, after more than 35 years heading up Weirton's utilities operations.
His final day will be Oct. 16.
The board’s next regular meeting is slated for noon, Oct. 15 - the day before Mastrantoni’s official retirement date - with board members agreeing there could be a need to appoint an interim director at that time.
"At that point, you’re going to be gone the next day," board member Joe Paolo told Mastrantoni.
The board agreed to meet in executive session on Friday to discuss potential candidates for an interim director, if needed, as well as a salary range. By doing so, members said, they could have some options available if it becomes necessary.
Board member Bob Kolanko agreed the timeline didn’t allow for any delays in action, even if a decision on a new director has been made, and an offer accepted, during the Oct. 15 meeting.
"There’s no way a person can be hired and in place," Kolanko said. "You have to have all the big work done."
In other matters, Friday, Mastrantoni announced the resignation from the board of James Shockley, who had most recently served as the board’s chairman.
According to the agenda, Shockley’s resignation became effective Wednesday.
"I think I’ve worked with Mr. Shockley longer than any other board chairman," Mastrantoni said, offering thanks for Shockley’s service, noting he headed up the board during numerous improvement projects over the years.
An appointment to fill the board seat will go before Weirton Council for its consideration at a future date.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)