Ready to retire: Silvestri leaving Peters Township post after 40 years
Mike Silvestri will report one last time to his Peters Township office on Aug. 26.
Twentieth-century scene: Mike Silvestri, left, assumes the presidency of McMurray Rotary Club by taking the gavel from predecessor Ed Wisniewski.
Each year, Mike Silvestri organizes a crew of McMurray Rotary Club members to participate in Peters Township’s annual spring cleanup. From left, in 2014, are Al DeLucia, Silvestri, Dr. Dan Gabriel, Harry Funk, Marcy Santel and Tony Zuloaga.
Mike Silvestri emcees a third-grade spelling bee at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
As Peters manager, Mike Silvestri often gave “state of the township” updates to organizations such as the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce and McMurray Rotary Club.
For 40 years, Michael Silvestri has worked for Peters Township.
But on Aug. 26, the longtime township manager is putting in his final day. He admits he is a little nervous about leaving his job after such a long time and is anxious about what the future may hold for him.
“There is a whole lot of stuff going on,” said Silvestri during a recent interview in his office in the municipal building.
The township, however, shouldn’t miss a beat with his retirement. Paul Lauer, assistant township manager, who has worked with Silvestri for 32 years, takes over as township manager. Ryan Jeroski, formerly assistant manager of Oakmont Borough, takes the same post in Peters.
Even though Silvestri, who turns 65 in October, will no longer be employed by Peters, his fingerprints are all over the township and will remain so for years to come.
Silvestri, township manager since the late Jim Ross’ retirement in 1981, got the popular Arrowhead Trail off the ground.
“That was my idea,” said Silvestri, who convinced P&LE Railroad to sell Montour Rail property, paving the way for the trail to be constructed.
He helped oversee the purchase of Peters Lake Park, development of the township’s recreation center, relocation of Peters Township Public Library to its current buliding, and the formation of the township’s cable TV station, along with fellow McMurray Rotary Club member Ed Wisniewski. Even now, Silvestri is working toward the township acquiring part of the former Rolling Hills Country Club to expand the municipality’s recreational amenities.
So why stay so long?
“It was a combination of things,” Silvestri said. “There were new opportunities. We always had a good council. They were not political. Then there’s the people. They are civil and respectful.”
There was also the challenge of managing growth and development that has been taking place. Peters has grown from 12,100 residents in 1976 to about 23,000 today, making the township the largest municipality in Washington County. During that time, the number of township employees reporting to the manager has jumped from 25 to 150.
While township manager, Silvestri helped transform the township fire department from an all-volunteer group to an entity managed by paid professionals.
He also streamlined how the township government functions. And perhaps more importantly, he has helped ensure the township’s financial soundness, an achievement that is regularly recognized by state and professional management agencies.
Silvestri said he really didn’t contemplate retiring until about a year ago.
“I had two close friends who died,” he said about Greg Smith and Doug Watkins, former managers of Moon and Upper St. Clair townships, respectively. “That pushed me more than anything. I want to still be able to do things.”
Silvestri said he and his wife, Susan, plan to spend a lot more time visiting with their daughter, Michelle, and granddaughter, Marissa, 7, in Fredericksburg, Va. They also are contemplating a European river cruise.
He also plans to remain active in the McMurray Rotary Club, for which he previously served as president and treasurer, and St. Benedict the Abbot Church, where he helps coordinate the ushers and manage finances.
Silvestri said it is doubtful he will be seen at any township council meetings after his retirement.
“I wouldn’t do that to Paul,” he said about his successor.
But he will be available for questions and will still pass by the township building daily:
“It’s on my normal walking route.”