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Reader question: How does Doug Cleland compare?

In response to a Neighbors article about Lower Merion township manager Douglas Cleland's salary and negotiation process from over the weekend, a commenter said:

I'd like to see a comparison showing Lower Merion's township manager's salary, population/size, duties, and staff with all of the other surrounding suburban townships, like Cheltenham, Whitemarsh, etc.

While this isn't exactly what you're asking for, below is a table of first-class township manager salaries for areas surrounding Lower Merion. (Whitemarsh isn't included because it's classified as a second-class township. First-class townships have larger population densities than second-class townships and are often located closer to urban areas. Rick Schuettler, deputy director of the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities, said it's important to distinguish between the two classes when looking at salary figures.)

Another commenter noted that Gov. Tom Corbett and Mayor Michael Nutter are elected officials, which is an important distinction to make. The Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners appoint/hire the township manager.