Salisbury Township Director of Public Works John Andreas has retired.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to accept Andreas’ resignation for retirement “with regret” and with many words of praise for Andreas who, in turn, was effusive in his words of thanks at the Jan. 28 township meeting.

Township commissioners, also by a 5-0 vote, appointed Highway Department Supervisor James Levernier as acting public works director.

The acting appointment is “until we get our bearings and act with a formal appointment to the position,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said.

By a 5-0 vote, commissioners accepted the resignation for retirement of Donald Zimmerman of public works.

“It is with much regret that I bring these resolutions to you,” Bonaskiewich said.

“Between the two of them, they have just about 60 years of history with the township,” Bonaskiewich said.

“I wish you well,” Bonaskiewich said to Andreas, who attended the commissioners’ meeting in the township municipal building. The public and the media could participate via the Zoom online meeting platform. As many as 16 participants were listed on Zoom for the meeting.

Andreas was presented with a clock engraved with “Thank you for 28 years of service.”

“John will be acting in a consulting capacity for this short period of time because there will be a lot happening in his department,” Bonaskiewich said.

“Don has also offered to serve as a consultant in the transition,” Bonaskiewich said.

Zimmerman was presented with a clock engraved with “Thank you for 31 years of service.”

“They have such a knowledge of the township,” board of commissioners President Debra Brinton said.

“I wanted to thank John for all these years of service. And all his work with the parks, and his advice for me,” Salisbury Township Recreation Director Genny Baillie said.

“He and I worked together for many years, through many storms,” Salisbury Township Chief of Police Kevin Soberick said.

“John has helped us out a lot. He was even putting out barriers in the last storm,” Eastern Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Chief Ian Dodson said.

“We’re sad as a township but we’re happy they reached that milestone and continue with the rest of their lives,” Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joshua Wells said.

Commissioner James Seagreaves, seconded by Commissioner Alok Patnaik, made the motion to bring the resolution to accept Andreas’ retirement to a vote.

Patnaik, seconded by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn, made the motion to bring the resolution to accept Zimmerman’s retirement to a vote.

“I just want to thank you and Cathy for your incredible support over the years, not only for me but for the department,” Andreas said to the commissioners.

“To realize the quality of life that we’ve been able to improve,” Andreas said is what he’s most proud of in his years working for the township.

Andreas noted the many calls and well-wishes he has received from residents.

“It’s really been incredible. I can’t speak to every member of our department, how important and special they were,” Andreas said.

“Whatever service we’re providing, whether it’s plowing, or leaves or streets, I was really honored to serve our residents,” Andreas said.

Commissioners and officials in the meeting room gave Andreas a round of applause.

In other business at the Jan. 28 meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to:

•Approve an ordinance for the vacation of a portion of Eisenhower Avenue. Testimony was given during a public hearing at the Jan. 14 township meeting. Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the ordinance to a vote.

•Approve an ordinance to amend Chapter 18 of the township’s codified ordinance regarding school calculations for sewer billings. “It’s a corrective measure. It was something that was erroneously changed,” Bonaskiewich said. The rate is per 24 students. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the ordinance to a vote.

•Approve a resolution to designate Embassy Bank as depository for township funds. Bonaskiewich said the matter was a housekeeping item because Embassy Bank is the depository. Conn made the motion, seconded by Seagreaves, to bring the resolution to a vote.

•Accept the audited financials for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2019. “We will be embarking on 2020. COVID sort of threw them for a loop,” Bonaskiewich said of the auditing. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Seagreaves, to bring the matter to a vote.

•Accept Glenn Miller’s resignation from the Salisbury Township Planning Commission. Miller, planning commission secretary, announced at the Jan. 12 planners’ meeting he was resigning, Bonaskiewich noted. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Conn, to accept Miller’s resignation.

•Appoint Paul Carr to represent the Fourth Ward on the Environmental Advisory Council. Conn nominated Carr and made the motion, seconded by Brinton, to bring the appointment to a vote.

•Reappoint Ed Olearczyk to represent the Fifth Ward on the Environmental Advisory Council. Patnaik nominated Olearczyk and made the motion, seconded by Brinton, to bring the reappointment to a vote.

•Appoint Thomas Spinner as alternate to the Zoning Hearing Board. Patnaik nominated Spinner, seconded by Brinton, to bring the appointment to a vote.

Before the agenda portion of the meeting, commissioners held an executive session to discuss real estate, Brinton announced.

There was no workshop following the meeting.

During the courtesy of the floor portion of the approximately 40-minute meeting, Catherine Glenn, speaking via Zoom, asked about township policy concerning bowhunting in Franko Farm Park.

“At this time, we are going to continue to allow hunting permits,” Brinton said.

“The new game commissioner for our area reached out to me. There are specific regulations,” Bonaskiewich said.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet 7 p.m. Feb. 11 in the meeting room of the municipal building. The public and the media is to preregister on the Zoom platform.