Bristol's full-time manager on "lend" to Morrisvile. Questions remain on work share
Morrisville Borough has a new interim manager and a new police chief, but it has lost another first-year councilman.
The Tuesday meeting also marked the last borough council meeting for Manager Judith Danko, who is leaving June 22 after nearly three years.
In unanimous votes, council hired James Dillon, a familiar name in Lower Bucks municipal government to act as its “interim” manager until Danko’s replacement is found.
More on Judith Danko leaving Morrisville manager is leaving her job. Here's what we know
Dillon has a long career as a manager for several Lower Bucks communities. He is currently the full-time manager for Bristol Borough, a similar size riverfront town where he has worked since 2004.
“He’s done some marvelous things in Bristol Borough, and I hope he comes here and does some marvelous things for us,” Morrisville Council President Helen Hlahol said Tuesday.
Bristol Borough’s council president authorized lending Dillon to Morrisville on a short-term basis during the manager search, according to Hlahol and Dillon.
The council agreed to the employment contract for Dillon but did not disclose his salary, if he will be working for the borough full or part-time or if Morrisville is compensating Bristol for Dillon’s services.
Neither Hlahol or Dillon responded to emails asking about his working situation with Morrisville. A Right to Know request for a copy of Dillon’s agreement is pending in Morrisville.
Danko, who has been manager since July 2021, offered her thanks to the borough for its support and assistance and provided a long list of accomplishments in the borough under her tenure, including leaving the borough a surplus in its general fund.
“This is wonderful for the borough. I’ll be leaving the borough in excellent shape,” Danko said. “It’s been a pleasure to work here in Morrisville. It was an honor to serve the residents of Morrisville. I’m so excited for Morrisville. I truly am.”
Councilwoman Kathryn Price Engelhard, who butted heads with Danko, thanked her for her work to get the borough financially solvent again. She noted when Danko took over the borough was barely able to make its payroll.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize that when she walked into this borough we were so broke,” Price Engelhard said. “You have no idea.”
Neither Danko or council provided a reason for her departure, but Hlahol wished her luck in the future job at her new municipality.
New police chief in Morrisville is Richard Ciampa
Tuesday night also marked a new chapter for the borough with naming of a new police chief, who will replace George McClay, who was terminated in November after serving as chief since 2014.
The council unanimously approved a contract with Richard Ciampa, who most recently worked as a lieutenant in Freehold, New Jersey, where he spent 25 years.
Ciampa will be paid an annual salary of $140,000 to oversee the 15-officer borough force. Council did not provide a start date for Ciampa.
A Right to Know request for a copy of his employment contract is pending.
“It is a great day in Morrisville,” Councilman Scott Robinson said. “A seamless transition from the manager down to the police department. It’s going to get a lot better. I’m really optimistic about the future.”
Morrisville councilman John Vitarelli Jr. resigns
Also on Tuesday council voted unanimously to accept a letter of resignation from Councilman John Vitarelli Jr. who represented the third ward. His resignation was effective June 18. He did not attend the Tuesday council meeting.
Hlahol did not provide a reason Tuesday for his departure. He ran unopposed and was elected to a four year seat in November 2023.
Vitarelli is the second member to resign this year. Robert Perry, resigned his seat on Jan. 9, one week after he took the oath of office as a newly elected councilman representing the fourth ward.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Morrisville has new interim manager, police chief
