Waynesburg searching for new mayor
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WAYNESBURG – The appointment of Blair Zimmerman to the board of county commissioners last month has left Waynesburg Borough Council with the task of finding a new mayor.
Zimmerman, who had served as Waynesburg mayor since May 2004, attended the council meeting Monday to thank borough employees, police, council and residents for making his tenure enjoyable and productive.
“I love being mayor, I love this town and I love being a part of it,” he said, mentioning the people by name who had helped him during his time in office. Zimmerman said he now hopes the same “heart” he gave to the borough as mayor will be given to the county as commissioner.
Council President Charles Berryhill complimented Zimmerman for his service. Berryhill said he has served on council for 37 years and during that time, Zimmerman was “the only mayor who has been a mayor.”
Borough manager Bruce Wermlinger announced council will be accepting letters of interest from members of the community who want to be considered for the appointment until council’s next meeting on Feb. 11. At that meeting, council could consider appointing a replacement.
In other business, council administered the oath of office to Darwin Fitch.
Fitch was appointed last month to serve the unexpired term of councilwoman Pam Carroll, who resigned after moving from the borough.
Fitch, who represents Ward III, is a former councilman and mayor. His resignation from the position of mayor in 2004 led to the appointment of Zimmerman.
Wermlinger also gave an end-of-the-year report, noting the borough last year had received $152,686 more in income than it had in 2011 and spent $82,082 less than it did the previous year.
“We had a very good year last year,” he said. Wermlinger said most of the increase in income, $146,000, had come from Marcellus shale impact fee revenue. In regard to the decrease in spending, he cited the lack of overtime resulting from the snow-less winter and the police department doing a good job of operating within budget.
Wermlinger also reported the police department offices are now being remodeled by a work crew from the state Correctional Institution at Greene and the inmates have been doing a very good job.