Ken Myers resigns as borough manager after decades on the job
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Ken Myers he planning to leave the office he's occupied for many years.

The borough of Greencastle will begin looking for another key leader in the next couple weeks. Already in the process hiring a police chief, the council will also have to find a new borough manager.

Kenneth E. Myers, holding that position since 1985, has a job as borough manager of Huntingdon, effective Nov. 12.

He beat out 10 other applicants. The Huntingdon Borough Council interviewed four finalists chosen by a citizens' committee. It met in executive session Oct. 16 and decided upon Myers.

The next day he notified Greencastle Borough Council

members and his staff.

"We're happy for him," said tine. "He's making a good decision. New challenges are good for anyone."

He noted that while Myers had to wear many hats in Greencastle, also serving as Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority manager and zoning officer, in Huntingdon he would be able to concentrate strictly on the borough manager responsibilities.

"He has lots of experience. It will be challenging and rewarding."

Council member Don Coldsmith was disheartened with the news.

"I was very disappointed to hear it. He's a good man and will be very hard to replace. A lot of his knowledge is not in the computer. I'm very sorry to see him leave."

The new job

Myers will be doing what he has done in Greencastle, but on a larger scale. Huntingdon, with a population of 7300, has twice the number of employees. He will supervise approximately 45 people. He will also be in charge of a $10 million sewage treatment plant upgrade as that community seeks to meet Pennsylvania DEP mandates to reduce nutrient discharge into the Chesapeake Bay.

He told the Huntingdon Borough Council the project didn't scare him since he has been through similar projects already.

Myers guided Greencastle through two renovations of its wastewater treatment plant on Grant Shook Road. He is especially pleased with the results of the 1989 project.

"At that time the effluent resembled chocolate milk going into the stream after treatment. After the upgrade the water was clear. I'm proud to have been a part of that," he said.

He was also at the helm for construction of the water treatment plant at Moss Spring in 1994.

"That was quite an undertaking," said Myers. "We more than doubled the water rate. It was a struggle financially at $7.2 million, but we got a state-of-the-art facility. It has been recognized by DEP as one of the tops in the state for quality."

Myers' salary in Huntingdon will be $64,800.

His new home has another parallel with Greencastle. The retiring Huntingdon borough manager was also chief of police. With his retirement, the community needed a new one, but hired a sergeant already on the force.

His tenure

Myers, 48, has been in public service for 30 years, the last 22 as borough manager. Serendipity played a role in his employment.

While a high school senior, the guidance counselor approached him, stating that the borough council wanted to train a young person to take over for Ed Bittner when he retired. It sought someone who had taken shop, drafting and business classes. That person would then have construction knowledge, be able to read blueprints, type and do accounting.

Only two boys had those qualifications and the other was not interested. Myers let the city leaders know he was. Noting that even local government does not move fast, it was November 1977 before he was hired. In May 1985 he took over the borough's affairs.

"They had a unique idea and it worked out very well," Myers said.

"I wanted a good office job somewhere. I was strong-headed and stubborn and didn't think I needed college. In hindsight I wish I had, but who knows where I would have ended up."

He acknowledged that the decision to move on now was difficult, but he looked forward to the new possibilities.

"The people in Huntingdon are pleasant and friendly. I think we'll fit right in."

He expressed satisfaction in working on major storm sewer projects over the years, including the current construction on Allison Street. He appreciated working with the council on street improvements. The reward was the ability to actually see the improvements for the community's sake.

Leaving his hometown

Myers, 48, is a native of Greencastle, so it isn't without mixed feelings that he is leaving.

"I love Greencastle and the people," he said. "It's been an honor and privilege to serve them the past 30 years. From that standpoint it's difficult to leave. But I realized I reached a point in my life that I was ready for change. I felt that I needed to move on."

He said his wife Barb, also a native, is excited but tentative. He joked that his four daughters think they are being abandoned.

Rachel, 23, teaches music at Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School; Mary Beth, 22, is an Xray technician in Rockville, Md.; Rebekah, 19, attends York Technical Institute, and Laura, 18, attends Kaplan College.

The family was very involved in travels with the Greencastle- Antrim High School Marching Band and softball tournament teams.

Barb will continue to work at Cumberland Valley Medical Services in Chambersburg until their house on Linden Avenue sells. Myers will commute the 70 miles.

Eckstine said the Personnel Committee will establish the procedure for hiring a new manager.

"Greencastle is a great place to live," he said. "I don't expect to have any problems filling the position."

Coldsmith thinks it could be difficult. He serves on the committee with Chairman Harold Duffey and Chris Grimm.

"It's a very important position. We might need two people to cover his duties. Ed (Bittner) and Ken worked together for several years. Now there's 20 times the workload of 20 years ago, and it's just been him."

He said the committee will advertise the position soon and he hopes qualified candidates apply.

The borough is currently already in the process of hiring a police chief and a water treatment plant chief operator.