When a municipality is hiring someone who will be paid with public funds, the public has a right to know the identity of that person at the time of the hiring. The name and relevant information concerning that person, such as where the person lives and qualifications for the job, should be noted prior to the vote, not be withheld until later.

When the Butler Township commissioners approved the hiring of a facilities manager on Monday, that didn't happen. The board voted 3-2 in favor of the hiring and the new employee's salary. However, the commissioners divulged that person's name neither at the time of their action nor at any other time during the meeting.

For the record, the person hired is Eric Heltzell of 132 Freeport Road. He succeeds Floyd Snyder, who has been regarded as the township handyman.

Snyder will retire at the end of this month, and, according to Ed Kirkwood, township manager, Heltzell will join the township in early October.

Heltzell's name and address were provided to the Butler Eagle Thursday by commissioners Chairman Joseph Hasychak.

Kirkwood said later Thursday that Heltzell has been employed in a supervisory position related to building maintenance.

Although Kirkwood initially said he thought he might have used Heltzell's name during the meeting, he termed the failure to clearly provide the information as an honest oversight. He said there was nothing to hide regarding the hiring — that it wasn't an intentional oversight.

He said he would have divulged Heltzell's identity if anyone had asked.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Hasychak said that he was comfortable with not revealing Heltzell's identity Monday because Heltzell had been extended a conditional job offer.

On Monday, there was disagreement on the board as to whether the position could be construed as a new position, since the position has been redefined to include expanded duties. Commissioner Donna Druga argued that Heltzell's position, as now described, constitutes a new position and that Kirkwood acted beyond the scope of his responsibilities.

But on Thursday Kirkwood said the township's solicitor had concluded he had handled the hiring correctly.

The state's First Class Township Code and a Butler Township ordinance give the township manager the authority to hire and fire personnel as needed.

However, the code requires the commissioners to establish new positions, as well as salaries and benefits for those positions.

Commissioner Sam Zurzolo, who along with Druga voted against approving the hiring and salary, told the board he was upset Kirkwood hadn't discussed either the new job description or the position's pay with all of the commissioners prior to making the conditional job offer.

Zurzolo acted responsibly in raising his concerns.

According to Kirkwood, Heltzell's additional responsibilities will include identifying long-range projects for community service workers assigned to the township through the county sheriff's department and the district court.

Heltzell's hiring should have been a routine matter, rather than one that spawned questions and disagreement.

What occurred should be a reminder to other municipalities on how not to handle a hiring and properly informing the taxpayers.

The township commissioners, who ultimately are responsible for the situation, should rethink their communications priorities and their attitude about the public's right to know.