For the second time in two months, the Harmar supervisors appointed Karen Peconi-Biricocchi as the acting township manager.

Peconi-Biricocchi was initially appointed acting manager at the end of May, succeeding Tony Rozzano. He was hired to fill the position full-time earlier in May but had to step down because he is also a Springdale Township commissioner, which is counter to Harmar regulations.

The action in reappointing Peconi-Biricocchi on Thursday was done under the terms of a new agreement with the township.

When initially hired as acting manager, Peconi-Biricocchi had been working in the township office for a short time as a seasonal employee. The supervisors agreed to pay her $25 an hour at that time to take over as manager.

Under the Memorandum of Terms of Appointment dated Thursday, July 15, Peconi-Biricocchi will be paid $27 an hour starting the next day.

Additionally, she will receive the same paid holidays as the rest of the office staff as well as one week of vacation. She will work 40 hours per week. She is serving a 120-day probationary period retroactive to May 28, which was the date of her initial appointment.

Despite the new agreement, supervisors Chairman Bob Exler said the township will advertise the manager’s position again.

He said when it was advertised before, there were eight applicants, including Peconi-Biricocchi.

“Some of the board members want to advertise for more, so we are putting another ad in the paper,” Exler said.

But he expressed confidence in Peconi-Biricocchi, saying she is doing a “fantastic job.”

“Harmar’s doing great with her,” he said.

“I’m a dedicated person,” Peconi-Biricocchi said. “I’m going to get the job done for them.”

She served as an Arnold Council member and then as the city’s mayor from 2016 to 2020, failing in her bid for reelection.

Her time in public office there was marred by controversy, including her participation in the testing and hiring process for a city police officer, a job for which her son was a candidate. That happened while she was serving as a member of the Arnold Civil Service Board and then as a council member.

Another candidate was chosen, but, when he declined the position, Peconi-Biricocchi’s son was hired.

She abstained from the vote to hire her son but was fined $10,000 by the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission for her participation in that process and also for filing deficient financial reports required by the state.

Peconi-Biricocchi ran into issues as mayor as well.

She suggested through images she posted on social media that people protesting the 2018 police shooting of Antwon Rose should be sprayed with powerful water cannons. The social media post caused backlash from many residents around Western Pennsylvania and led to her subsequent apology.

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