OLD LYCOMING TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two more employees are on the verge of leaving Old Lycoming Township, with one resigning this week citing a “toxic” work environment. he told NorthcentralPa.com.
LeeAnn Ellingham, the zoning officer for the town of fewer than 5,000 residents, said she submitted her resignation effective Oct. 10.
Another employee, Amy Hammaker, who served as an administrative assistant and right-to-know director for 13 years, was fired this week, Ellingham said.
Bethany Jones was recently hired as the new township manager. She also reportedly serves as the town’s treasurer and accountant, Ellingham said. Jones told NorthcentralPa.com that she “cannot be allowed to divulge that information” about her exact role within the town.
“That’s what I was told,” Jones said by phone Friday. Jones said he was “not authorized to release that information” on the advice of his attorney.
Lycoming Township Superintendent Dave Shahn told NorthcentralPa.com via text:I can’t talk about personal matters [personnel] “According to our attorney,” he said when asked about the township’s personnel changes, including Hammaker’s firing, Ellingham’s resignation and Jones’ hiring.
Resignation has a domino effect
The township’s turmoil reportedly began in September 2022, when Old Lycoming supervisors voted to regionalize with surrounding police departments, including the Tiadaton Valley Regional Police Department. Those who voted yes say the virulence came in retaliation for their votes.
Former township supervisors Linda Mazzullo and David Kaye announced their resignations on June 22 of this year. A week earlier, then-Township Manager Matt Akey resigned.
Akey’s departure had a domino effect. Twelve of the 18 town employees served notice in June. Aikey said all sectors were affected. “They said, ‘When you’re done, I’m done.’ People started falling left and right,” he added.
Related article: Former Old Lycoming official suggests ‘corruption’
At the time, Akey said township business had “almost ceased” and only one township supervisor remained, Dave Shahn. Mr. Shirn was the only “no” vote in the regionalization process.
Filling the township supervisor vacancy was left to the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas, which appointed Justin Kastner and Richard Metz to fill the vacancy. Both will appear on the November ballot.
Ellingham said he worries that with so few employees and no zoning or right-to-know officers, town business will continue to be delayed and “residents won’t know what’s going on.” There is. She was told that other town employees were unaware that she and Hammaker had resigned.
NorthcentralPa.com reached out to Lycoming Regional Police Chief Nathan Delemer on Friday regarding his knowledge of the employment status of the two women. In response, Inspector Christopher Criner released a statement from the police department.
“Neither Amy Hammaker nor Regan Ellingham are employees of the Lycoming Regional Police Department. Because their employment status does not affect the operations of the Lycoming Regional Police Department, it would be inappropriate for them to comment on employees of other agencies. ”Kriner said.
The personnel changes are part of an investigation into allegations against Shaan. In June, PennLive confirmed that the township was notified that Shahn was the subject of a state Ethics Commission investigation.
“People are afraid to speak up,” Ellingham said. “We want residents to know what’s going on.”
