Ousted Coplay Public Works Director Dan Pavelko told The Press he sensed something was wrong when borough council went into executive session for "personnel" at its Aug. 4 workshop.

No action was taken after that session which lasted about a half hour. However, following an approximately 15-minute executive session at the Aug. 12 meeting, council reconvened and voted unanimously to advertise for a new public works director.

Council President Lou Bodish said after the meeting members of council met with Pavelko for about two hours Aug. 6 and he did not leave that meeting angry.

"But it doesn't mean I'm happy," Pavelko said by telephone Sunday. He was in more of a state of shock, he said.

"Danny will be stepping down," Bodish said last week.

Pavelko will become a regular member of the five-person public works crew and become part of the union.

"They feel I'm not fulfilling my duties as public works director and they're offering me this other position instead of letting me go," Pavelko said. "I'm looking at a massive pay cut."

Pavelko's salary for 2013 was $50,490. It is budgeted for $51,247 for 2014, according to borough Secretary-Treasurer Sandra Gyecsek.

Council did not know which position on the crew Pavelko would take and could not quote a salary. However, 2013 salaries for the public works crew ranged from $32,100 to $38,820.

Public works crew member Rick Bundra retired over the summer. Pavelko said he and the crew were waiting for council to hire a replacement when suddenly he was under fire. Now he will be forced to fill the opening on the crew while the borough hires another supervisor.

He said he felt the demotion was a "kick in the teeth" and said he believes council wants to micromanage.

"They were out to get me no matter what," he said. "It's not just me, it's my whole crew they're after."

He said had he held the position for six months and been caught doing something wrong, he would understand the council's decision. But, Pavelko said, he doesn't understand why his performance was deemed a problem only now, after 15 years on the job.

"Obviously I don't agree with their decision," he said. "[But] I will continue to work for the borough."

Pavelko will serve as public works director until a replacement is hired.