Irwin promotes assistant manager to top spot

After interviewing several candidates over the past month to be Irwin Borough’s manager, council opted to remain in-house when selecting the town’s top administrator.

Shari Martino, who has been the acting manager since Valerie Morton left the position June 25, was hired as manager Wednesday by a unanimous vote. Martino is a North Huntingdon resident.

Martino “has exceeded expectations” while working as the acting manager, said Council President Rick Burdelski.

Martino said she looks forward to working local government officials, police, fire, the Irwin VFD ambulance service, the Irwin Business and Professional Association and other organizations in the borough.

She said she believes that “cooperation is the answer and the catalyst for our continued progress and growth.”

“We have come so far to revitalize our downtown area, the parks and the neighborhoods of Irwin,” Martino said.

Martino, 39, who was paid a $500 stipend in addition to her regular salary the past six weeks, will receive an annual salary of $50,000.

“She has stepped up to the plate,” Councilwoman Gail Macioce said. “She has done two jobs.”

Martino had been hired as assistant manager in September 2017.

The manager’s job became open when Morton announced in June she would be leaving to take a job at a Pittsburgh area corporation.

Prior to council hiring Martino as manager, she got an unsolicited vote of confidence from Shawn Stitley, Irwin Fire Department’s deputy chief.

“She done a great job,” said Stitley, one of four candidates in the November election for three seats on council. Martino responds when she gets a phone call from the fire department, Stitley said.

Martino’s hiring as manager follows a familiar pattern recently in Irwin’s government. She is town’s third manager in the past 24 months.

Morton became the borough’s manager in September 2017, upon the retirement of longtime manager Mary Benko.

Morton was hired as the borough secretary in December 2016 to replace a secretary who was retiring. When Benko announced in April 2017 her intention to retire that September , Morton was named the assistant manager. She was hired in July 2017 to be manager when Benko retired.

Burdelski said they have received applications for the assistant manager’s position and he hopes to hire someone to fill that role in September.