Sewickley officials have inked a new two-year deal with borough Manager Donna Kaib.
Council voted 7-0 Feb. 10 to extend Kaib’s employment through 2027. Council members Tom Rostek and Linda Solecki were absent.
The agreement is retroactive to the start of this year and calls for a salary of $144,000.
Salary for year two will be determined during 2027 budget preparation. Her previous salary was $140,400.
Kaib, a Reserve resident, was first hired by Sewickley in August 2021.
She was selected out of 20 candidates and five finalists for the job.
Kaib served as Reserve’s manager from January 2012 until she was picked up by Sewickley.
“It is an enjoyable position, which sometimes has its challenges, but with the help of a great council and amazing staff, even those challenges are overcome,” Kaib said.
“Over the last four years, there have been many highlights/projects and accomplishments such as (upgrading) Crescent Avenue walls and steep slopes, upgrading our parks, adding EV charging stations, continuing the street paving program, upgrading the wastewater treatment plant, forming good relationships with our neighboring communities and being awarded over $3.8 million in grants with the help of Gateway Engineers.
“I am very proud of the progress that has been made in the borough.”
Council President Cindy Mullins also noted Kaib’s grant acquisitions among the highlights of her tenure.
“I could write a book,” Mullins said after the council meeting. “Sewickley is very fortunate to have Donna at the helm. She has gotten us on track both in terms of personnel and finances.
“She has a track record of tackling big projects and seeing them through with persistence and hard work.”
Kaib said residents and council can expect the same commitment to the betterment of the borough with the new contract.
“The borough will continue to have relationships with residents, local businesses (and) community groups to ensure that we are responsive to their needs,” Kaib said.
“We will continue to have long-range planning to guide the borough’s growth and sustainability. We will continue to address our infrastructure needs and continue to maintain our high-quality essential services.”
State staffer
Republican state Rep. Valerie Gaydos visited Sewickley Council to introduce her latest staffer, Carson Cramer.
Cramer, 24, a Peters Township native, began working for Gaydos about six months ago. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State.
Cramer primarily serves constituents at the Moon Township office, 1005 Beaver Grade Road. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cramer also will be at the satellite offices in the Sewickley Borough Building, 601 Thorn St., and the Leetsdale Borough Building, 373 Beaver St.
The Sewickley office is open from 10 a.m. to noon the third Thursday of the month.
The Leetsdale office is open from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Thursday of the month.
“While Rep. Gaydos is helping in Harrisburg, I’m here trying to see all the different municipalities and boroughs and get used to local government,” said Cramer, a 2020 Peters Township High School graduate. “I enjoy helping people and helping the community. I’ve learned a ton in this job. You get to hear firsthand the concerns of our constituents and pass them along to Rep. Gaydos.”
Some of the services Cramer assists with include obtaining Real IDs, vehicle registration, handicapped placards, senior Connect cards for busing and helping people with their property tax/rent rebate applications.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure,” Gaydos said about working with Cramer. “We’ve had great past staff people, and we’re proud where they’ve moved on and done a lot of stuff. It’s nice to have another member of our staff that really is there to help people and with a smile.”
