Atlas Twp- A new township budget has been approved, with an increase in salary for township employees and a raise for the fire chief.
Township clerk Tere Onica said a 4 percent raise in salary was given to township employees across the board in the form of a Cost of Living Allowence (COLA).
‘That’s all we give anymore,? said Onica.
Onica said township employees are not compensated by way of receiving health benefits, and the yearly COLA increase is one of the few things the township can do to retain employees.
‘The attrition rate in Atlas Township has been high because we don’t offer (health benefits and other perks) to keep people here,? said Onica.
Also receiving a raise is fire chief Fred Forys. Forys took over the position from James Naugler in May of last year.
Township supervisor Paul Amman said he told Forys when he was hired that his starting salary would be $13,000? $2,000 less per year than Naugler received? with the understanding he could receive the additional $2,000 if he proved himself in the department.
Amman said Forys had demonstrated his abilities as a fire chief in numerous way, including improving morale in the department, cleaning and organizing the fire hall, improving work sessions, keeping records up- to-date and recruiting six new people, including one fully trained firefighter.
Forys will now make $15,000 annually.