Paul Balliet, who has long served as chairman of the Allen Township Board of Supervisors, is officially stepping down at the end of this year.

Dubbed by some as the "patriarch of township government," Balliet said it is time to turn the reins over to another individual.

"I'm 86 years old. That's long enough to be a supervisor," Balliet said.

Supervisors in the township serve six-year terms. Balliet would be 92 if he sought re-election and won.

Balliet, who served as a supervisor for 20 years, said he spent his entire tenure as chairman of the five-member board.

Prior to serving as a supervisor, Balliet was a member of the Northampton Area School Board.

He said he has seen the township change from a predominantly farming community to an area spotted with residential developments.

One of the most important votes Balliet said he and the board have taken during his tenure was approval of the huge FedEx transportation hub.