Butler Township begins hiring process for police chief – Butler Eagle

Butler Township Municipal Building. Butler Eagle archive photo

BUTLER TWP – Commissioners approved the release of a job description for the position of township police chief at a meeting on Monday, June 17, just days after the current chief’s retirement date.

Commissioners accepted the retirement of former Police Chief John Hays during a meeting on May 20. Hays served with the Butler Township Police Department for 44 years. Hays listed June 14 as his last day of work with the township, but decided to take his remaining vacation until that date.

The department’s lieutenant has assumed the chief’s duties, according to the chain of command, Township Manager Tom Knights said. The job posting will be posted online as well as in local sources, and Township administrators said they hope to find someone for the position relatively quickly. Applications for the position can be sent to Tom Knights, 290 S. Duffy Road, and must be submitted by July 12.

“I expect we can start advertising positions this week,” Knights said. “Applications close in mid-July…interviews will follow soon.”

According to the job posting, the Butler Township police chief will be responsible for 20 officers and two administrative staff, as well as a department budget of approximately $2.7 million. The ideal candidate, the posting states, has at least 15 years of law enforcement experience, including at least 10 years in a supervisory position, and experience in administration, civil and criminal investigations, budgeting and more.

Township commissioners also voted to advertise a job opening for a construction contractor. Knights said the job will also be advertised in local sources and online.

Inquiries about land development

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 plan for a 92-unit quadruple building in 2021 and gave preliminary approval for phase two in February.

Bob Brennan, owner of developer Brennan Homes, said at Monday’s meeting that phase two includes building the remaining housing units not built in phase one, creating a walking trail, and building roads and sidewalks.

Brennan said not much has changed since he first presented the plan in 2021.

Aldermen also revoked final approval for the first phase of the Oaks at Dutchtown Road housing plan, but instead granted that phase preliminary approval. Aldermen approved the plan in February.

Jesse Hines, Butler Township’s zoning officer, said developer Joe Gray asked the township for a preliminary permit to do the work without having to post a bond with the township.

“For the time being, you can do something similar to what Bob Brennan did at Autumn Woods; he did a lot of that work without a bond… He did all the work at his own risk,” Hines said. “When the final approval is granted, there is a risk with the municipality; you have to put a bond down.”

Gray owns the 30-acre property at 75 Dutchtown Road where the subdivision is planned. According to Michael Ogin, project manager at Gateway Engineers, the buildings planned for the subdivision will be constructed in three phases.