Allegheny Township rehires former public works director after unexpected death of Shawn Kuhn

Allegheny Township has hired a new director of public works to replace the late Shawn Kuhn, who died unexpectedly Feb. 8 at age 49.

Township supervisors hired Steve Kanas on Monday night.

Kanas’ starting pay will be $50 an hour, with his hours limited to 32 a week.

Township officials took time during the start of Monday’s supervisors’ meeting to talk about Kuhn’s life and dedicated service to the township.

“He taught us how to lead. So many people loved him,” Supervisors Chairman Kathryn Starr said.

The township has an outdoor digital tribute in Kuhn’s honor displayed for passersby on the municipal building grounds.

Kanas lives in Allegheny Township. He mentored Kuhn after Kanas retired from the same role after serving the township from 1988-2017.

He said he’s stepping back into the position as more of an interim role for about a year, until someone can be hired for a longer term.

“That was the reason we called him back, because he knows the job,” Starr said.

Kanas said it has been difficult to return to the job under the circumstances.

“I offered my services. After the funeral, we talked about it. It was hard to step back in,” Kanas said. “I hired him when he was 19.”