New Baldwin Twp. Manager Focused on Continuing Improvements

Rob Zahorchak has only been in the manager’s seat for about two weeks, but he’s already working to improve Baldwin Township, and get to know its residents in the process.

Zahorchak, 29, is the new manager of Baldwin Township, and he started on April 2.

“It’s been exciting,” he said. “I’ve been learning the township inside and out. It’s a crash course. There’s no other way to learn it.”

Zahorchak is a Greensburg native who earned an undergraduate degree in political science and a graduate degree in public administration, both from the University of Pittsburgh.

He worked for the Municipality of Murrysville as a graduate student, then did economic development and policy work for Duane Morris Government Strategies, formerly GSP Consulting.

Prior to accepting the job with Baldwin Township, he served for three years as the policy and communications director for the Pittsburgh nonprofit Green Building Alliance, where he worked on a number of initiatives with the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, including the redevelopment of the former Mellon Arena site.

It’s been a busy first few weeks since taking the management position in Baldwin Township. The township is currently conducting its annual audit, which Zahorchak said makes this the perfect time for him to start the job.

He has been combing through last year’s budget, he said, which has allowed great insight into where every penny in the township is being spent, and where he might be able to make helpful adjustments in the future.

There are other matters he’s also addressing as top priorities.

“The most pressing matter is setting the property tax millage rate, which will be happening very soon. Likely mid-May,” he said.

Township officials have been waiting on the county’s assessments to go through, and for all appeals to take place, to gain a better idea of the taxable value in the township and set the rate appropriately, he said.

“That’s the big management challenge right now, because so much hinges on that,” Zahorchak said.

Sewer line maintenance also is a continuing project in the township, and planning for potentially costly future projects—most mandated by federal regulations—already is in the works, he said.

Zahorchak said he wants to work with township commissioners to discuss possibilities for the commercial district along McNeilly Road as well.

In addition, he hopes to oversee improvements to Armstrong Park, such as adding benches to the gazebo, and other beautification and maintenance projects throughout the township.

“I am definitely excited to see more of the plans our commissions have,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity to turn the McNeilly area into a family-oriented and perhaps walk-able corridor. I want to continue to leverage our assets, such as Armstrong Park, and what it provides to residents.”

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