The supervisors voted 4-1 to extend Township Manager Jamie Gwynn's contract for two more years and give him a 27 percent raise, which is nearly $34,000.
Only Supervisor Keith Youse voted no.
Gwynn has been working for the township since 2016. He and his family moved to the township in 2021, which earned him a $5,000 bonus at the time, and he will get another $5,000 bonus after living there for five years.
His previous contract ended on Dec. 31, 2023, and the new one is valid until Dec. 31, 2025. The new contract also states that both parties hope Gwynn will remain employed at the township for at least the next five years, but they acknowledge the limitations of the Second-Class Township Code, which doesn't allow contracts longer than two years.
The contract automatically renews every two years unless either party gives three months' notice to end that condition.
Gwynn will undergo an annual performance evaluation every September.
Gwynn's 2024 salary will increase by 26.9 percent from $141,840 to $180,000 with the signing of the contract. He will receive 3 percent raises every year, resulting in earnings of $184,400 in 2025 and $190,962 in 2026.
According to the Census,the median individual income in the township is $54,095, and the median household income is $126,352.
According to Salary.com,the average Town Manager salary in Pennsylvania was $87,732 as of April 24, 2024, but the range usually falls between $77,227 and $98,150. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city, education, certifications, and population.
In the latest Census, Gwynn said New Hanover had over 13,000 residents. It has been recognized by the Montgomery County Planning Commission as one of the fastest growing townships in the county. Gwynn mentioned that his new salary is considered slightly higher than the average for township managers in towns of similar size.
Gwynn said to MediaNews Group, 'It has been eight years since I took this job, and from the very first day, I have worked with outstanding people as we faced challenges like the pandemic and pursued a vision to make a better New Hanover. There are many joys I've had working with this great group of people, and our success has been much bigger than just myself. It has been my honor to be this town's manager and to work with these commissioners.'
In addition to a 'defined contribution' pension plan, through which the township will make an annual contribution of 5 percent of his base salary, Gwynn will also have a deferred compensation plan, to which the township will make an annual contribution of 3 percent of Gwynn's base salary.
The contract gives Gwynn 15 days off, in addition to paid holidays, and requires him to make the same contribution, on a percentage basis, towards premiums for his medical benefits as the other non-uniformed employees of the township. The township will provide a life insurance policy that pays out at two times Gwynn's base annual salary and a monthly vehicle allowance of $400 for using his own car.
