DUBOIS – DuBois City Council on Monday voted, 4-1, to begin the two-step process of potentially changing the status quo of suspended City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio.

The first step consists of negotiations to “buy out” the remaining term of Suplizio’s 10-year contract, and advertise for a replacement city manager.

In March Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General charged Suplizio with allegedly stealing more than $620,000 from public accounts over a period of time.

Suplizio was placed on administrative leave pending resolution of his case, and City Engineer Chris Nasuti was appointed to act as interim manager.

It was previously noted that Suplizio’s contract did not include a morality clause.

During discussions of proceeding with a potential contract buyout, council indicated the city didn’t have a buyout amount determined at the time of the meeting.

However, Suplizio’s annual salary is $110,000 but is more around $157,000 with bonuses.

He also has 30 weeks of paid time off worth $62,000 to $98,000, and pending any deal, would qualify to draw an annual pension of around $98,000.

There was public uproar over the language in council’s initial attempts to present a motion for consideration.

It stated council would negotiate to determine a buyout cost for Suplizio, and then proceed with his termination.

The public believed council planned to proceed with a buyout—if it were favorable—without disclosure of the agreed upon amount.

Council said its vote was merely to negotiate a buyout, and an additional vote would be necessary at the conclusion of negotiations.

Due to the confusion, council amended its motion to clarify that a second vote was necessary to proceed with a contract buyout, which passed.

Council then voted to advertise for the presumably soon-to-be open city manager position. 

Council strongly urged Nasuti to apply.

Members of the public questioned the vote, with some urging council to simply appoint Nasuti.

Mayor Ed Walsh explained this was an effort by council to act consistently and in-line with its recent handling of a council vacancy.

Others argued that the city shouldn’t be permitted to advertise the city manager position, if it’s not yet open.

Solicitor Toni Cherry did say council could advertise a position in anticipation that it would be open.  The deadline for applications is Aug. 31.

Finance Director

Councilwoman Diane Bernardo urged council to hire a finance director. 

She said it had been something that auditors have been suggesting the city do for the last 25 years. 

Bernardo said it was important to make this change now so incoming council members wouldn’t be left with the same financial risk as the current council members.

She also urged for this to be done without “naming names,” as there had been many potential eyes on the city’s finances over the past 25 years.

She went on to list three managers, two auditing firms and a “plethora” of council members. 

“We all took on the risk because we didn’t want to spend a little more money,” said Bernardo.

The public pointed out that Bernardo had been on council for the majority of those 25 years, and is only now recommending this change with four months left on council.

Council member Pat Reasinger opposed the hiring of a certified public accountant, as he didn’t believe the city could afford it.

Sandy Township Supervisor Sam Mollica sought clarification. 

So far as his understanding, it was too late in the ongoing DuBois-Sandy consolidation for either municipality to hire an individual with a contract that could extend into the new municipality without the appropriate approval from the other municipality.

Walsh, however, said that would not be the case until Jan. 1, 2024, but he still asked Nasuti to speak with Sandy Township Manager Shawn Arbaugh concerning the matter.

Mollica said he was going to speak with Supervisor Mark Sullivan, who was also present at the meeting. 

There were no objections made by township officials concerning the potential hiring of a new city manager earlier in the meeting.

Council voted, 4-1, to advertise for a finance director.  Applications are due within two weeks. 

It was noted that the city is only looking into the hiring, and there’s no guarantee it will fill the position.