Moon Hires New Planning Director

The last night approved for the second time this year the hiring of a new township planning director. 

The township hired Marissa Gerkey to the position at an annual salary of $63,000. 

Township manager Jeanne Creese said Gerkey, who currently serves as the assistant planning director in Crawford County, was selected after two rounds of interviews. She is a graduate of Elmira College in New York with an undergraduate degree in political science and international relations. 

In August, the township  Thomas J. Connelly to serve as planning director at an annual salary of $59,000. Connelly attended the board’s Sept. 1 workshop meeting. 

Township spokeswoman Meghan McNamara said he resigned in late September, citing personal reasons. 

The township’s former assistant manager and planning director, Adam McGurk, from the positions in April to relocate to New York City. He had been employed with the township since 2007.

Creese said at the meeting that the position has remained largely unfilled since McGurk's departure. She and township engineer Malcolm Petroccia have assumed the responsibilities of the planning director while the position remained vacant.

Other items of interest from the meeting:

• The board voted to appoint Janney, Montgomery & Scott as financial advisers for the 2011-2012 bond issue. The appointment was recommended by the assistant township manager and finance director.

• The board approved a bond reduction request forthe Cimarron Development, phases one and two, to $263,100. 

• The board approved an agreement with the landscape and urban design firm Stromberg, Garrigan & Associates for the development of a waterfront park, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation director.