Lower Saucon Council's Inability to Hire or Retain New Manager Continues

BREAKING: Saucon Voice has learned that the position of Lower Saucon Township Manager is again vacant. After only two days on the job, the latest Manager announced his resignation, effective immediately.

2024 has proven to be a challenging year for Lower Saucon Township regarding township staffing and management. And now nine months into the year (and new majority Council), Lower Saucon Township yet again does not have a full-time manager after this latest resignation.

Back in March 2024, Lower Saucon Township Manager Mark Hudson submitted his notice of resignation to Council. Since then, the new majority demanded control over the process and struggles to attract a new manager

During the August 21, 2024, council meeting, Township Solicitor Steve Goudsouzian explained that an offer of employment was extended to a Brian Bond to fill the Township Manager position, but that he had decided not to accept the offer of employment.

Goudsouzian explained that the search committee for a new Township Manager had completed other interviews and would be able to move forward extend another offer for a new manager to someone named Sheldon P. Hudson.

Goudsouzian continued by stating that he had already had preliminary conversations with Hudson and that some items, such as salary ($155,000 per year), had already been negotiated. Goudsouzian stated, “I can represent to members of Township Council that we have reached an agreement.”

During Council discussion, Councilmember Jason Banonis asked for clarity on where Sheldon Hudson lived, with Mr. Goudsouzian confirming that the potential manager lived in Delaware. When asked by Mr. Banonis about his plans to relocate to Lower Saucon, Mr. Goudsouzian stated, “he is willing for a period of approximately 45 days to work 20-hours a week to become acclimated to the position and then become full-time.”

Mr. Banonis questioned who would be completing the other 20 hours of work per week required for the Township Manager position and asked whether Mr. Hudson was working elsewhere. Mr. Goudsouzian stated that while he did not want to comment Mr. Hudson’s personal matters, “he has other professional commitments.”

Throughout discussions of Council during the meeting, it was clear that minority members were in favor of promoting long-time Township employee Cathy Gorman – acting Interim Manager for the past six months - to the position of Manager, given her extensive knowledge of the Township and history working for the Township.

Councilmember Tom Carocci made a motion to hire Cathy Gorman but the motion failed when Priscilla deLeon, Victoria Opthof-Cordaro, and Laura Ray voted against offering Gorman the position, with Banonis and Carocci voting in favor.

After the vote, Councilmember Jason Banonis criticized the Council majority stating, “you look like a bunch of fools because no one wants to take this position”. Council President Priscilla deLeon then motioned to hire Sheldon Hudson as manager, which passed 3-2 (Banonis and Carocci, no).

At the time of publication, Sheldon Hudson was still listed on the Lower Saucon Township's website as the current Manager.

Lower Saucon Council will meet again this Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 6:30PM at Lower Saucon Town Hall. The meeting can also be viewed on the Township's official YouTube channel.

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