Butler Township begins police chief hiring process
BUTLER TWP — Commissioners approved the posting of a job description for the township’s chief of police position at a meeting Monday, June 17, just days after the effective date of the current chief’s retirement.
The commissioners accepted the retirement of now former chief John Hays during a meeting May 20. Hays had been with the Butler Township police department for 44 years. Hays listed June 14 as the final day of his employment at the township, but decided to use his remaining vacation time up to that date.
The lieutenant with the department has been performing the duties of chief, as per the chain of command, said township manager Tom Knights. The job listing will be posted online as well as in local sources, and the township administrators said they hope to get someone into the job relatively quickly. Applications for the job can be sent to Tom Knights at 290 S. Duffy Road, and they are due July 12.
“I think the assumption is we’ll get the advertisements started this week,” Knights said. “Application deadline, mid-July ... then interviews soon to follow.”
According to the job advertisement, the police chief in Butler Township oversees 20 officers and two administrative clerks and a department budget of about $2.7 million. The ideal candidate, according to the advertisement, has at least 15 years in law enforcement, at least 10 of those years in a supervisor position and experience with administration, civil and criminal investigations, budgeting and more.
The township commissioners also voted to advertise an open public works operator position, which Knights said will also be posted to local sources and online.
The commissioners also gave final approval to the second phase of the Autumn Woods plan, which is being developed by Winmer Properties. Commissioners first approved the 92-unit quadruplex plan in 2021, and gave preliminary approval to phase two in February.
Bob Brennan, owner of developer Brennan Homes, said at Monday’s meeting that phase two includes the construction of the remaining units that were not built in phase one, the creation of a walking trail, and road and sidewalk development.
Brennan said not much has changed since he initially submitted the plan in 2021.
The township commissioners also rescinded final approval for the first phase of the Oaks at Dutchtown Road housing plan, but granted preliminary approval to the phase instead. The commissioners approved the plan in February.
Jesse Hines, Butler Township zoning officer, said the developer, Joe Gray, asked the township for permission to work under preliminary approval, in order to perform work without posting a bond with the municipality.
“Under preliminary you can do similar to what Bob Brennan had did with Autumn Woods; he did a lot of that work without posting any bond ... He did all that work at his own risk,” Hines said. “If final approval is granted, then there is a risk with the municipality; you have to post a bond.”
Gray owns the 30-plus acre property at 75 Dutchtown Road, where the subdivision is planned. According to Michael Ogin, project manager with Gateway Engineers, the structures planned for the subdivision will be constructed in three phases.
