John Shepherd's progressive thinking and professional guidance are credited for helping to enhance North Huntingdon's rapid growth in recent times.

The township commissioners have turned to Mr. Shepherd again.

The board last week appointed Mr. Shepherd as manager by a 4-3 vote. He was among six finalists selected from 60 applicants.

Mr. Shepherd, 42, is the township manager in West Deer, northeastern Allegheny County. He was North Huntingdon's manager for nine years before resigning in January 2007 to take a job in the private sector.

July 20 will be his first day back as North Huntingdon manager.

"John Shepherd is recognized as one of the top municipal managers in this state," said commission President David Herold. "The board is fortunate to hire an administrator of his caliber to keep the township moving forward."

"People did not realize until John Shepherd was gone how big a loss to the township it was," Commissioner Anthony Martino said.

Mr. Shepherd replaces James Morrison, who resigned in February after only five months to become the chief administrator in Murrysville. Assistant Manager Michael Turley had served as the top administrator since Mr. Morrison's departure. That was the second time in two years Mr. Turley served in that capacity.

Mr. Shepherd's annual salary will be $90,000.

Before the vote, Commissioners Rich Gray, Fred Patter and Lee Moffatt questioned a $100,000 severance package that was among the terms in Mr. Shepherd's new contract. All three voted against hiring Mr. Shepherd because of the severance.

Mr. Herold, Mr. Martino and fellow Commissioners Don Austin and Angelo Furlin favored Mr. Shepherd's hiring.

Mr. Shepherd did not receive a severance package when he resigned as North Huntingdon manager to accept a job with Robert W. Shuster's RWS Development firm.

"I did not receive a severance package when I resigned, either," Mr. Morrison said.

There was a public outcry, however, after Kelly Wolfe resigned as manager in February 2008, after 10 months She had succeeded Mr. Shepherd, and received a $94,000 severance package that included a $73,000 salary and health-care benefits.

"The close vote does not bother me," Mr. Shepherd said. "I understand why Commissioners Gray, Patter and Moffatt opposed my severance clause because they don't want another controversy should I leave. They didn't vote against me."

"But times have changed. The trend in municipal jobs, where you serve at the will of elected officials, is to negotiate a severance package which provides some security. A governing body has the right to hire the people they want."

Mr. Shepherd also has been the borough manager of Jefferson Hills. Political maneuvering allegedly led to his ouster there in April 2008.

He agreed to a settlement of $25,000 and four months of paid health care. Jefferson Hills did not contest his filing for unemployment benefits, which he collected until he took the West Deer post.

Mr. Shepherd expects to make a smooth transition with the North Huntingdon commissioners and administrative staff.

"I've worked with the commissioners before," he said. "Most of the staff I worked with is still there. I won't need to evaluate people. I know what they can do."

One of Mr. Shepherd's achievements during his previous stint in North Huntingdon was to persuade the commissioners to build a reserve fund so the township would achieve fiscal stability while not having to continually raise property taxes.

Currently, that fund balance is more than $3 million.

"I feel the township is on solid ground financially," Mr. Shepherd said. "I've been gone for 2 1/2 years. I need to sit down with the board to find out what their priorities are and in what direction they want the township to move."