JERSEY SHORE - A shake-up has again occurred in Jersey Shore.
After less than six months in office, Gretchen Speicher, who was hired in November as borough manager-treasurer, was dismissed during a special meeting Tuesday night by Borough Council.
The vote was 5-1, with two absentions.
Speicher earned a salary in the $70,000 range because she was acting as borough manager and treasurer combined, according to Councilman Sean Simcox, who was the lone dissenting vote to not remove Speicher.
Speicher committed no fraud or crime, according to Simcox.
The vote taken to remove her followed an executive session that lasted about 30 minutes.
Voting for Speicher's ouster were Council President Marguerite Dyroff, and Councilmembers Dr. John Pisarcik, Kenneth Scheesley, Mary Greene and Janet Barnhart.
Abstaining were Councilmembers Deborah Colocino and Wade Snyder.
Council also agreed to pay Speicher her vacation and any "comp" time accrued.
Council also asked Solicitor Denise Deiter to prepare an advertisement for the position of borough manager, placing emphasis on wanting to interview individuals with skill in financial and budgetary matters.
Speicher did not attend the meeting.
Regular council meetings are held on Monday nights.
