A proposal to combine two zoning-related positions in Elmwood is steaming forward, although the present township planner says he has not been officially notified that his position will likely be terminated.

The Elmwood Township Board on Tuesday approved a description for a proposed new position, that
of “planning coordinator/zoning administrator.” Longtime zoning administrator Don Witkowski is retiring, leading the township personnel committee to discuss changes in township personnel.

The board approved a job description that would combine the two positions under a new, full-time position. Township policy requires that the position first be posted internally.

But present township planner Bill Swanson said he has been left out of discussions affecting his employment, and said he has not decided whether to apply for the new position should his current job be eliminated.

“They never even asked me,” said Swanson, when asked if he had been notified that his position was being terminated.

Swanson filled in as zoning administrator last winter when Witkowski was on a three-month leave. He did not receive extra compensation for his duties.

Swanson said he has never received a performance evaluation in his position as community planner.

Combining the positions could cut the township payroll. Swanson, a full-time employee, receives $33,800 annually. The present zoning administrator position pays $15,000. The salaries’ combined total is $48,800.

The planning coordinator/zoning administrator position will be compensated with a salary of $35,000 to $45,000, depending upon educational background and experience. The personnel committee had originally set the position’s pay at $35,000, but board members were concerned that qualified candidates would be dissuaded from applying.

Duties will include conducting preliminary site plan reviews of proposed developments, assisting the planning commission in reviewing applications, enforcing the zoning ordinance — and a catch-all category, “perform such other duties as directed by the township board.”