Retired official now working for Troy Township as consultant
By Bob Okon bokon@stmedianetwork.com June 28, 2012 4:28PM
Updated: July 30, 2012 6:15AM
TROY TOWNSHIP — Retired Troy Township Clerk George Muentnich has begun working as a paid consultant for the township at a rate of $20 an hour.
Muentnich described his rate as “very reasonable,” and Township Supervisor Joseph Baltz described his work as limited.
“I’m doing this for beer money is what it amounts to,” said Muentnich, who made $120 in his first month of consulting in May and has put in another three hours in June.
Muentnich was hired earlier this year as an as-needed consultant to oversee construction and maintenance projects, a service that he said he provided as an elected township official for 30 years before retiring in December.
His regular job was director of buildings and grounds for the Joliet Township High School District, which gives Muentnich some expertise on construction and maintenance work.
Muentnich said he provided oversight “for free” on those kinds of contracts when he was a paid township official but was asked to continue offering his expertise after retiring.
“It’s not like I’m working five days a week as a consultant,” he said. “This is very, very part-time.”
Muentnich said he expects to put in about 10 hours on pending projects and does not know if his services will be needed after that for the remainder of the year.
Baltz said the township turned to Muentnich when the township needed to upgrade its building to make it more accessible for disabled individuals.
The township does not have a building staff, other than the deputy assessor who monitors use of the community building and mows grass, Baltz said.
Township oversight of construction and maintenance projects in past years was provided by Muentnich, he noted.
“He has the expertise and probably has worked with every contractor in the Joliet area,” Baltz said.
“I’ve always turned to George for his expertise.”
Baltz said Muentnich will save the township more money than he will cost because of his expertise on bidding contracts and building projects.
Muentnich so far has also overseen a painting project and repairs of a leaky roof.
Muentnich was paid $15,000 a year as township clerk before he resigned from the post at the end of 2012, when he also retired from his job with the school district.
He receives a pension from both positions.
“I’m retired,” Muentnich said. “I didn’t really want to do this (consulting work), but they said they needed the help.”
