With JoAnn Van Tassel in the midst of her final week as Lake Orion Village Manager, the village council outlined some procedures Monday for how the position will be handled over the next few months.
Clerk Arlene Nichols accepted the interim manager’s position and was approved unanimously by council.
She will continue to handle her duties as clerk as best as possible and will receive Van Tassel’s current salary, a slight increase over her own, during her time as interim manager.
‘If it wasn’t for our hard-working, dedicated staff, I wouldn’t even consider this,? said Nichols, noting she’s a longtime resident who cares deeply about the village.
Nichols? appointment becomes official next Monday (Dec. 17).
Current Treasurer Jan Adams will take on the responsibility of conducting labor negotiations (with the labor lawyer to be present as needed).
Council members noted that they had already received seven applications for the manager’s position. It was posted on the Michigan Municipal League website less than two weeks ago.
The council will review all applications in a closed session as part of their Jan. 14 meeting, at which time they will decide how to proceed in the matter.
Van Tassel currently makes $62,712 yearly and started at around $45,000 back in 1999. The job has a posted salary range of $55-70,000.
Van Tassel said she would welcome calls on any subject from the village after she leaves, adding that she received many such calls from the township offices after leaving her full-time duties there.