Plum approves new contract with police chief, promotes 2 officers

Plum police Chief Lanny Conley has a new five-year contract and two newly promoted officers to go along with it.

Council approved the contract and promotions at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 12.

Conley’s current salary is $154,628. The contact includes 3.5% annual raises with the first effective in January. There were no changes to health care benefits or vacation days.

Borough Manager David Soboslay said the wage increases are the same as other officers in the collective bargaining unit, which go by calendar year.

Conley has been with the department for 31 years. He became sergeant in 2002, lieutenant in 2014 and took over as chief in 2019 after Jeff Armstrong retired.

“Lanny’s been a very good police chief,” Soboslay said. “He’s done an excellent job. I think council is happy with his performance, and based on his performance, council has offered him a new contract.”

Council vice president Dave Seitz said the new contract was well deserved.

“We’re very lucky to have him as a chief,” Seitz said.

Council president Paul Dern said the department’s morale is high as a result of Conley’s leadership.

Conley, who turns 59 this month, thanked council for its support.

“I’m greatly appreciative of getting a second contract,” he said. “I enjoy what I’m doing. We are blessed with having a safe community (and) getting good new officers.”

The department has 29 officers, all full-time, including Conley. Two of them have new roles.

Justin Golnoski was promoted from patrolman to patrol corporal, His pay rate increases from $49.45 per hour to $52.91.

Eric Zdobinski was promoted from sergeant to administrative lieutenant. His pay rate rises from $53.89 per hour to $55.88.

Mayor Harry Schlegel swore in the officers to their new positions shortly after council voted.

Golnoski has been with Plum since 2016. The certified tazer instructor previously worked with the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office and Manor Borough Police Department.

“He has a good head on his shoulders,” Conley said. “He makes good decisions. Justin heads up our evidence procedures and login information. He does a great job of that.”

Zdobinski has been with Plum since 2001 and was promoted to sergeant in 2014. He previously served in Latrobe.

Conley said Zdobinski has shown outstanding leadership skills. He will be looking into grants and helping with policies and procedures as part of his new role.

“He will also have his finger on the pulse of patrol and directly oversee the patrol supervisors,” Conley said. “‘He’s the best candidate (for lieutenant).”

Zdobinski also serves as director of the Eastern Allegheny Traffic Safety Alliance, formerly known as the East Hills DUI Task Force.

The Alliance does roving impaired driver patrols, mobile awareness details and stationary sobriety check-points in order to help reduce impaired-driving-related crashes within participating jurisdictions.

Other departments in the alliance include Churchill, Edgewood, Forest Hills, Monroeville, North Versailles, Oakmont, Penn Hills, White Oak and Wilkins Township.

Other personnel moves

Council also approved Jim Dreano of Plum and DJ Housley of Jefferson Hills as assistant managers. Their salaries are $106,000 each.

Dreano served as the borough’s human resources director the past two years. He will continue those responsibilities as well as oversee risk management, Boro Haps and other items as assigned.

Housley worked as an associate with KU Resources for more than nine years prior to being hired by Plum. He will oversee community development, public works and engineering.

“Jim is a known quantity and Jim’s done a great job with staff,” Soboslay said. “Council’s very happy with his performance. We’ve worked with DJ on and off for the last nine years. He’s familiar with our operation. We’ve been talking with DJ for a number of months and we feel he’s a good fit for the position with his background and experience.”

Council approved reclassifying a department of community development secretary’s position.

Soboslay said it was changed from union to nonunion because Teamsters Local 205 no longer has that job.

There was no change in pay or benefits.

The borough has openings for a public works laborer and mechanic. Both are full-time jobs. More information is available at plumboro.com.