Yale clerk gets temp raise after manager’s firing 

YALE — In the wake of a leadership shake-up at City Hall, the Yale City Council approved a temporary $350 weekly pay increase for City Clerk Ashley Aldea as she takes on the duties of the recently terminated city manager — retroactive to Aug. 10.

Since former city manager Lorrelei Natke’s firing that day and bookkeeper John Osborn’s subsequent resignation, city staff, including Aldea, have taken on additional work responsibilities left in Natke’s wake.

Aldea has taken on Natke’s former duties, including her role as zoning administrator. These duties add to Aldea’s existing responsibilities, including payroll and council meeting preparation. To avoid infringing on checks and balances, Aldea said she has not taken on Osborn’s bookkeeping role.

“[Aldea] has taken on many more duties — a lot more,” Mayor Brenda Krzak said. “She has stepped up and is doing very good in that spot.”

Clerical support worker Amanda Saelens also received a 93-cent-per-hour pay increase approved by the council to reflect her own increased workload.

These staffing measures are likely temporary as the city prepares for more permanent changes in the new year. At that time, the city will look to hire a new city manager. Natke was [awarded] severance pay through the end of the year, making January an intuitive target date to begin paying a full-time replacement.

In a letter to the council, Aldea requested that members consider a staffing plan at City Hall going forward, including the delegation of duties and total number of staff members.

“At the end of the day, we answer to you, and you have to decide what you want City Hall to look like,” Aldea said.

Aldea maintains she is not running for city clerk in the upcoming election as she eyes the city manager role.

At this point, those interested in the city clerk role must declare as a write-in in person at City Hall by Oct. 23.

Other business

• Following meetings with Brockway Township representatives regarding fire service in the region, the Yale council agreed to a new three-year contract to receive service from the Brockway. Yale will pay $56,500 in the next contract year — up from $50,000 — marking a 13% increase. The city will pay $57,500 the following year and $58,500 the year after that. The increase stems partially from a dramatic rise in calls to Yale. In 2023, Yale comprised 17% of all of the department’s calls, Aldea said. In the past two years, that figure has jumped to 44%, with an increase in medical calls accounting for a sizable portion of that jump. Furthermore, the fire department’s payroll has increased 57% in the past year. The city’s existing contract for fire service expires Nov. 30.
• Council moved forward with a full roof replacement awarded to Moza Construction for $43,680. The city received nine quotes, according to city staff. Moza Construction’s quote came in about $5,500 higher than a proposal from Guns and Hoses Roofing. “I struggle to want to work with somebody we know nothing about,” Councilwoman Tammy Hazel said of the decision.
• Following the recent resignation of plumbing and mechanical inspector Mark Booth, the city appointed Roy Pung in his stead.
• The council approved a $3,995 battery box and leaf spring repair for a city plow truck.
• The council approved the sale of a portion of 101 N. Main St. to neighboring property owners. The homeowners are paying the estimated $1,800 cost for a land survey of the 48-by-25-foot property, with the council waiving the fee to transfer the property to their name. The council reapproved a roughly $100,000 energy grant for city building work, including roof insulation, lighting upgrades at City Hall and a tankless water heater in the garage. Special Touch is handling or has completed the work.