By Deborah M. Todd
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WILKINS, Pa. — When the Wilkins commissioners approved a final settlement agreement between the township and former police chief Keith Guthrie at Monday’s meeting, board President William Wilson made sure the audience was clear on what had just occurred.
“Everybody understand that? Keith Guthrie is officially retired and the lawsuit is settled.”
The township agreed to the terms of the settlement with Mr. Guthrie earlier that day at a conference in U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan’s chambers, which the commissioners had been ordered to attend.
The settlement will grant Mr. Guthrie $98,688, which includes pay for vacation, sick, holiday and personal days; a $22,890 retroactive pay increase; and a $50,000 payout from the township’s insurance carrier, Selective Insurance, contingent upon his retirement.
The agreement also provides Mr. Guthrie and his wife, Susie, full benefits until he is eligible for Medicare.
Although Judge Lenihan ordered the parties to reach terms of settlement in February, they were deadlocked over the issue of Mr. Guthrie’s health benefits. He said that was his right under the township’s police contract and should remain the same regardless of new contracts.
Selective Insurance argued that the township had the right to adjust the terms of his retirement benefits when it renegotiates the police union’s collective bargaining agreement.
Mr. Guthrie said he was satisfied with the terms of the agreement, even though it includes language that allows his contract to change if the terms of the next collective bargaining agreement change.
“I’m just glad the professional and personal nightmare they put me through is finished,” he said.
Mr. Wilson, who served as the township police chief before he sat on the board, said the township was equally glad to see the situation end.
“As far as I’m concerned, [Mr. Guthrie] retired March 14 under the same contract [other chiefs] retired under,” he said.
Wilkins also decided against rezoning property in Jefferson Heights from R-2 residential to R-3 residential after 30 residents presented letters of opposition.
The township will consider rezoning properties around Larimer Avenue, Ridgecrest Drive, Brown Avenue, Washington Avenue, McMasters Avenue, Semmens Street and Railroad Street, and a vacant lot on Churchill Road.
Copyright 2009 P.G. Publishing Co.