Slatington Borough Councilman Jeffrey Hausman submitted his resignation to Borough Manager Dan Stevens effective today.

In his resignation letter, Hausman cited his reason as his belief that the borough over the past few years has violated the employment rights of both volunteer and paid employees.

“Specifically, members of the borough-owned fire department appointed (approved) to hold leadership roles not applying their employee handbook (standard operating guidelines) fairly and equally to all its members,” Hausman wrote. “Some members over the last few years were denied promotions (title change) due to new meeting criteria in the handbook. While others not meeting the same criteria were given new titles; example, not having a driver’s license or not meeting the years of service required.”

A large number of these members have been terminated for not meeting a policy referred to as Annual Response Requirements, which has to be met yearly as stated in the handbook. Yet there are approximately 10 members who have not met this for two consecutive years.

Hausman said, “I believe people who are willing to volunteer, we should appreciate any amount of time they can give. At least four of these individuals were available during the daytime, which is where the borough’s fire department has been struggling, resulting in a neighboring fire department having to respond.”

Hausman said he believes the borough is lacking in making sure all hired employees have two mandated background checks.

“I received information from non-members with concerns over some of our members, whom I checked on and believe there’s reason for concern,” Hausman wrote. “Some of these borough approved leaders have also failed to inform borough officials and law enforcement of a number of items that went missing definitely between 2019 and 2022 from this municipality-owned facility.

“This borough has very well trained and schooled fireman who I have a lot of faith in. There’s just concerns over the administration side of this dangerous job,” Hausman concluded.

Hausman was seated on borough council in January 2022. He oversaw the sewer and solid waste committee for council. Previously he was in charge of the highway committee.