Dormont is still looking for a new manager but, in the meantime, borough council has replaced the interim manager with someone already on the payroll.

Police Chief Russ McKibben will be the new interim manager.

Council on Monday removed the "interim manager'' title from Daniel Mator, who is also the acting assistant manager. He will continue in that capacity.

Mr. McKibben also filled in as interim manager two years ago while Dormont conducted a search to fill the position. He will hold the job now for no longer than 12 weeks while interviews are conducted, council President Ann Conlin said.

Ms. Conlin said Mr. Mator has not been offered the manager position, but he can apply for it.

Mr. Mator said Dormont appeared ready to offer him the permanent position in April, but Oakmont was expressing serious interest in him for its vacant manager spot.

Because he was almost positive he would be hired in Oakmont, he submitted his letter of resignation to Dormont.

"I did what I felt was best for Dormont, Oakmont and myself," he said. "I did not -- and do not -- feel it would be ethical to knowingly allow Dormont's council to appoint me manager only to resign the following week if Oakmont moved forward with its vote."

On April 15, however, Oakmont officials notified him that he was no longer being considered for the job.

Mr. Mator said he realized that the recent circumstances shook council's confidence in him, but he still was surprised by council's decision Monday to reduce his role.

"In light of their praise of my job performance both at meetings and in print, their decision still came as a shock," he said.

Mr. Mator came to Dormont in August 2006 when he was hired as assistant manager to George Zboyovsky. The interim manager title and responsibilities were given to him in September 2007 when Mr. Zboyovsky took a position in Brentwood.

Mr. Mator said Dormont council at that time delayed appointing him as manager out of respect to the incoming council.

He said he was paid an additional $800 per week for the additional duties, an arrangement that was intended to last until January.

"When January came around, there was no decision," he said. "Same for February and March." Now even his tenure as assistant manager appears uncertain.

Council Vice President John Maggio said the decision to change Mr. Mator's duties and the impact it could have on his future with the borough were discussed at a private session and he could not comment on it.

Mr. Mator said he hopes to stay.

"Am I the current contracted, permanent assistant? Yes," Mr. Mator said. "Am I going to be here long term? I'm not sure."

Mr. Maggio said the borough is in capable hands with Mr. McKibben running its day-to-day operations. He will be paid $1,200 per week until a new manager is appointed.

Mr. Maggio said he's confident Dormont eventually will find the right manager, maybe in its own backyard.

"I would hope we could find a qualified candidate within the borough," he said. "Somebody with a vested interest in seeing this borough succeed and not use the position as a stepping stone but as a commitment to its future."