In many ways, Catasauqua's Jeff Miller easily can be referred to as the borough's "A Man for All Seasons," based on the play by Thomas Bolt.

When he isn't spending his time supervising and overseeing activities and functions at the borough pool, Miller can also be found on his riding mower, working to maintain the Catasauqua Park & Playground, as well as other municipal properties throughout the borough during the summer.

A year-round borough employee, Miller's responsibilities change with the seasons.

In all, it has been a 26-year ride for the effervescent, personable man who says he has had few regrets on the job. Miller began as a part-time worker and then ironically began his job as pool manager and public works officer upon the deaths of one manager and the retirement of another.

"It was a different beginning," recalled Miller, who started his career in 1988. "I don't think too many people have these kinds of circumstances when they start their job, but I moved forward with it. I was part-time for the first year and then took over when a gentleman died.

"The gentleman who ran the pool retired the following year and then I took over that job."

With his position, Miller has watched the pool remain a staple among the residents.

"There have been several physical changes to the pool over the years and it still is a staple in the community," Miller said. "We have done our share of cosmetic changes and the pool has also survived the times of the different decades."

Miller said when it was originally built, the pool was under the auspices of the school district. He also said the borough took over and made some initial renovations to the pool.

In 1997, the pool underwent an approximate $800,000 renovation in which the beach entrance was added along with a large slide, two small slides and the rain drop fountain, making it one of the larger pools in the Lehigh Valley. There is a daily rotation of 10 lifeguards on duty as well as two assistant managers and two to three attendants in the box office. The pool is part of a 17-acre complex off St. John Street that also features basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

This summer, Miller noticed an increase in patrons around and after the July 4 holiday, around a series of rainy weeks. He also noted an increased volume in non-Catasauqua residents.

"Our traffic has definitely picked up lately," Miller said. "After July 4, we have been doing very well. We have also noticed a lot of people coming here from out of town. We're getting Allentown, Bethlehem and other areas. People know this is a big pool and it has a good reputation. We also didn't have as many season passes this year, so the nonresidents have helped the bottom line."

Miller also noted the short summer break for school students has affected the number of patrons at the pool over the past few years.

"It used to be the pool would be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day," Miller said." But in recent years, we have opened either the first or second week of June with the kids getting out later, and then we have them going back in late August. Those changes have also affected us in some ways."

Along those lines, Miller also highlighted how the pool has survived changes in the generation gaps.

"We used to see a large amount of high school kids here," Miller said. "But now there are only a small number of them and a decreased amount of children. Students are also involved in sports programs and we have the courts right next to us. Some have pools in their backyards or they are exploring other options like water parks or playing inside."

"There have been some signs that it is a changing time," Miller said. "This summer, I had just enough life guards to hire, and I usually have to go through a process. It's never easy and we are using taxpayers' money to keep it going. But we feel there are enough people around Catasauqua who see it as a viable option."

Aside from pool duties, Miller normally has a laundry list of other items he is responsible for from November through March, mainly those dealing with weather and construction matters. Throughout the years, Miller has maintained a high profile around Catasauqua. He has such a reputation that his co-workers presented him with a personalized license plate that reads "MILLZ" on his borough truck.

"He is a Catty guy," said Eric Snyder, who has supervised summer activities at the playground for many years. "He knows the system here and he always gets us whatever we need. Everyone is always well supplied with everything in a short time with Jeff. We grew up together. He lived at one end of the playground and I lived at the other end. He's a good guy and is always willing to help."

"Every day, there is something different," Miller said. "The older you get, you get a little slower. A couple of years ago, we got the George Taylor Home under our wing, so we're trying to do some work out there. You jump around a lot from place to place."

One of his strongest memories is of a time the pool flooded during his first year on the job.

"Those are memorable when you're just starting," said Miller, who moved to Catasauqua from Allentown in the third grade. "We have had that happen a few other times. The councilman and officials come and go and I'm still here.

"But I've seen what has transpired good and bad to the town and we have had an influx. There have been plenty of physical changes."

Originally, Miller had plans to become a physical education teacher. He attended Gettysburg College for two years and East Stroudsburg for a year before he left the college trail.

"I was young and dumb and took a break after three years," the 1982 Catasauqua High School graduate said. "I never went back. I had a friend who worked here and got me in."

Miller's wife, Laurie, is a science teacher at Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem and sons, Kyle, 23, and Tyler, 22, both worked at the pool and on the road crew with their father.

With the ever-changing economy, Miller is content and thankful to maintain his status.

"It used to be no one wanted this job; now, people will take it," Miller said with a chuckle. "I have been happy with everything and I know there will be something different tomorrow."

And when "something different" comes along, Miller will be up to the challenge and ready to get the work done.