Ross commissioners want to see what their preliminary 2010 budget looks like before they take action to hire a finance director. Commissioners voted down a proposal to advertise for candidates for the job Monday night.

Daniel DeMarco, president of the board of commissioners, urged his colleagues to advertise the opening and interview potential employees. "We don't have to hire anyone until we see the [2010] budget," he said.

The motion to seek candidates for the job failed in a 3-3 tie. Commissioners Gerald O'Brien, Daniel Kinross and Mr. DeMarco voted to advertise the position. Commissioners David Mikec, Grant Montgomery and Grace Stanko were opposed.

Commissioners Peter Ferraro, Lana Mazur and Chris Eyster were absent.

The position has been vacant since former finance director Wayne Jones was promoted to township manager last year. Mr. Jones has been doing both jobs, but he has advised the board that he eventually will need some relief.

Funding requests and other budget information will be collected from department heads during September, and commissioners will get their first look at a tentative 2010 financial plan in early October.

State law requires that municipalities approve their next year's budgets by Dec. 31.

In other business, commissioners heard a report from police Lt. Robert Bellan on the township's preparations for the G-20 Summit of world leaders taking place in Pittsburgh.

The event will be held Sept. 24-25 Downtown at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Ross police will work longer shifts with additional patrols planned in residential, commercial and recreation areas, Lt. Bellan said.

Township parks close at dusk, and police will monitor those areas to make sure that protesters or other visitors do not try to use them as camp sites, commissioners were told.

The department plans to spend about $3,000 for additional equipment that might be needed during any G-20 demonstrations. Items to be purchased include flexible handcuffs, additional Kevlar helmets, batons and face shields.

Starting with a Sept. 8 committee meeting, commissioners will resume their schedule of four meetings per month.

Commissioners gather for committee meetings on the first and third Mondays of the month and hold their business meetings on the second and fourth Mondays. All sessions start at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal center.

During the summer, committee and business meetings are combined and held twice a month on the same night.