Millcreek supervisors name new treasurer. Zaksheske will be on unpaid leave to July 2025.
Former Millcreek Township Treasurer Mark Zaksheske will be a township employee for another year. But he won't be working for the township or getting a township paycheck.
Zaksheske instead will be on unpaid administrative leave until July 13, 2025, by terms of a separation agreement unanimously approved by township supervisors Tuesday.
Zaksheske then will qualify for and will receive a pension from the township. He was hired as township treasurer on July 13, 2015.
Zaksheske had been on paid administrative leave since January when supervisors did not reappoint him to the position due to undisclosed "personnel issues." Supervisor Jim Bock favored reappointment, citing Zaksheske's experience in managing township finances.
Some members of the public charged that supervisors failed to reappoint Zaksheske in retribution for his public criticism of the $7.2 million purchase of West Eighth Street properties by the Millcreek Township General Authority in January 2023.
Board of supervisors' Chairperson Kim Clear said that was not the case.
"I unequivocally say this is not retribution for comments that he made publicly about Eighth Street," Clear said in January.
In a social media post, Zaksheske called the purchase a "boondoggle." The authority overpaid for the properties and is unlikely to recoup its costs to buy and clear the sites for redevelopment, he said.
The authority bought the former Bel-Aire Hotel, Joe Root's Grill, Grasshopper shop, Manor Motel and Sandbar Draft House & Grille with the intention of demolishing the buildings and offering the vacant land for development.
The township's Embrace Millcreek comprehensive plan envisions mixed residential and commercial development in the Presque Isle Gateway District near the entrance to Presque Isle State Park.
The main portion of the Bel-Aire Hotel and the Grasshopper are not being demolished pending further deliberation about possible uses for the hotel and the possible historical significance of the Grasshopper building.
Zaksheske's paid leave ended at the close of business Tuesday, according to the separation agreement with the township.
Zaksheske approved the agreement, township officials said.
"Mutual agreement was reached for the separation approved at today's meeting," Clear said Tuesday. "The township looks forward to the continued service of Melanne Page."
Page was promoted to the treasurer's job effective May 1. She had been assistant township treasurer and served as acting treasurer since Jan. 2. Her annual salary will be $95,000, retroactive to that date.
In January: Residents say failure to reappoint Millcreek treasurer looks like 'retribution'
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Millcreek names new township treasurer. Zaksheske remains on leave.
