Two key positions in Jim Thorpe borough are now filled following action by borough council last month.

Joseph Bolesky was named the new public services manager at an annual salary of $85,000 and Michael Schoch as streets department supervisor at an hourly wage of $30.25.

The public services manager position was created by the borough several years ago and was filled by Vince Yaich until his retirement earlier this year.

Council President Greg Strubinger said over the course of two interviews with Bolesky, he became increasingly confident he was a good fit for the position.

“Not many times do you have an applicant that meets all qualifications you’re looking for and has checked almost all the boxes,” Strubinger said.

“This is only the second time we’re hiring a public services manager, so there was a high degree of importance placed on getting someone who could come in immediately and have an impact. We didn’t have the ability with our previous public service manager to have someone else come in and work alongside him but we don’t think it should be an issue.”

Bolesky is leaving his job as the city superintendent of utility maintenance with Bethlehem.

According to the job posting, the public services manager is a supervisory administrative position within the borough; will oversee the streets, water and sewer departments. The employee will “manage staff, plans and directs operations, and set priorities for the maintenance and repair of borough infrastructure and parks,” the posting said.

Strubinger said Bolesky brings valuable assets to the borough and will be a benefit for other employees as well.

“It’s not always the case that you’re able to find someone who meets your qualifications and sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board, but we don’t have that here,” Strubinger said.

Schoch will take over as streets department supervisor after Jimmy Trainer, who held the role for several decades, died in July following a long battle with cancer.

“Mike is another valuable hire here,” Strubinger said. “We had some tough choices with some of these positions, which are key to the borough’s day to day operations. We feel confident both of these hires will work out and the residents will be pleased.”