Former New Kensington-Arnold superintendent now Harrison manager

Harrison Township commissioners hired John E. Pallone as township manager by a unanimous vote.

Pallone, a former five-term state legislator and superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District, will be paid $80,000 per year.

Pallone replaces part-time township manager Richard G. Hill, who resigned March 11 “to pursue other opportunities.”

Hill was hired in 2018 at a rate of $45 per hour. At that time, township officials said they were budgeting $80,000 per year for the manager’s position.

Pallone will be a full-time manager responsible for 30 full-time employees who work in several municipal departments such as finance, public safety, public works and zoning. Harrison’s population is 10,157, according to the 2020 census.

The new township manager also will be responsible for handling a $6 million budget.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Pallone join our staff,” commissioners Chairman Gary Meanor said. “His experience, knowledge and understanding of government will be a great benefit to the board and the township.”

Pallone’s start date is undetermined, although he said after Monday’s meeting that he intends to spend some time in the office this week to familiarize himself with the operation.

A 1978 Valley High School graduate, Pallone graduated from Grove City College in 1983 and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1988.

He represented Pennsylvania’s 54th state House district from 2001 to 2010. At that time, the district covered communities that included New Kensington, Arnold and Lower Burrell.

“My professional experience in both the private and public sectors at all levels and my legal background, together with many years of public service in the area, provides me with a solid foundation and wealth of knowledge concerning the impact and understanding of local municipal government,” Pallone said. “I am looking forward to embedding myself within the Harrison Township community as I continue my journey of public service putting others above self.”

Pallone also was appointed chief administrative officer of Harrison’s police pension fund and the nonuniformed pension fund. He also will be the township’s right-to-know officer.