Tarentum wage increases follow pay freezes for some

Some Tarentum employees are getting pay raises in 2019 after having their pay frozen last year.

The salaries hikes are included in the borough’s $3.58 million 2019 general fund budget. There was no increase in property taxes, which remain at 5.48 mills.

The borough’s public works, water plant and office staff received 4 percent pay increases, after taking a pay freeze in 2018, borough Manager Michael Nestico said. Their hourly pay increased from $23.27 in 2017 and 2018 to $24.20 this year.

Police also received a 4 percent raise after a freeze last year, increasing the base wage from $32.52 per hour to $33.82.

Police Chief William Vakulick is getting a 3.28 percent salary increase, from $82,482 to $85,187.

Finance Director Alice Drisko is getting a 3.5 percent raise, from $23.74 per hour to $24.56. Water plant Supervisor Jeff Adam’s annual salary is going up 2 percent, from $60,000 to $61,200.

Nestico’s pay was not increased. Last year, council increased his salary by 26 percent, from $65,000 to $82,000. Council said they approved the increase because they had been happy with his performance to-date and want to keep him.

Nestico’s two-year contract runs through Dec. 31.

The borough recently hired a new code enforcement officer. Anthony Bruni’s salary was set at $53,000.

Brian Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer.