Lansford’s former treasurer said thanks, but no thanks to continuing with the borough after council unveiled a new work schedule and training plans earlier this week.

On Wednesday, council met in executive session and hammered out plans for Maria Ahner, who served as borough treasurer since early 2024, to continue as a part-time employee and train borough secretary Ashley McLaughlin to perform her duties.

Council planned to change the borough’s office hours to 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing both Ahner and McLaughlin to work and train after the office closed without involving overtime or additional costs.

“At no time did I offer to train borough personnel,” Ahner wrote in an email to council this week. “I made it clear that I am not a trainer. The assistance I previously discussed was limited to certain treasurer responsibilities.

“It was never an offer to train another employee or prepare someone to perform the position,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, what was presented publicly did not accurately reflect what I had communicated to council.”

Ahner went on to say that council should have contacted her before the matter was discussed or motions made.

“A simple conversation could have prevented this misunderstanding,” she wrote, encouraging council members “to listen, ask questions and confirm the facts before motions are made or information is presented publicly.”

Ahner explained that she no longer has access to borough information or systems and is no longer bonded by the borough. She planned to return her office keys in person, so that the return is acknowledged, she wrote.

She was grateful for the opportunity to serve the community, and proud of the work that she accomplished, she wrote.

“I hope this message encourages thoughtful discussion, careful research, and open communication going forward,” Ahner wrote.

“Please consider this my formal notice that I respectfully decline any request to provide training or additional services to the borough,” she concluded.

Ahner turned in her keys and passwords at 7:45 a.m. Friday, Council President Joe Genits said.

“She was waiting at the door to turn in her keys, passwords, everything, and not to do anything anymore,” he said.

Genits believed that McLaughlin will be able to complete payroll on Monday, as long as all the timesheets are in to be processed.

He said they may close the borough office on Monday to allow her to get the work done and ensure employees get paid.

Both McLaughlin and Ahner were supposed to be cross-trained in each other’s jobs to ensure seamless borough operations in the absence of one or the other. McLaughlin stated publicly this week that cross-training never occurred.