ASHLAND - The chairman of the Ashland Area Municipal Authority relinquished his gavel at Monday's meeting after 19 years in the position.
Lawrence V. Madden, Ashland, presented his letter of resignation as chairman to the AAMA board at the start of the meeting.
"The public did not always appreciate the work of the AAMA, but I think the board can be proud of the past 22 years," Madden read from his letter. "Before this year is over, we will have paid off our PENNVEST loan, retired our bonds and paid off our truck loan. I am proud to have served as chairman for many of those years, and hope to sit on the board for years to come."
Madden came on the board shortly after it was formed in 1991. The first chairman was Norbert J. Noon, a former Ashland mayor, with Madden becoming vice chairman shortly after being appointed to the AAMA board. In 1994, Noon resigned from the board, at which time Madden was elected chairman. Noon and Madden have been the only AAMA chairmen as of Monday.
In his letter, Madden said the authority did "some great things" with the help of engineers from Alfred Benesch & Co., the borough managers past and present, and water filtration plant operator William "Bumper" Miller, who has been involved with the authority "from almost the beginning."
He also thanked borough and AAMA secretary Patricia Moyer, "who always seemed to come up with the money time and time again when we didn't know where the next payment was coming from," and authority solicitor S. John "Jack" Price, who described him as "the longest serving member of the board, and I mean that calling Jack a member of the board. He not only did his work as solicitor, but often went beyond his duties to do extra work not required of his position."
When Madden finished reading, Price instructed the board as to the next step.
"It would be appropriate to make a motion to accept Mr. Madden's resignation," Price said. "I suggest that the motion be made with regrets and with tremendous thanks for all he has done for the board."
Board member Jerome Schmoltze made the motions, seconded by Francis Menne. The resignation was accepted.
"Thank you, gentlemen, for all we've accomplished," said Madden, who received a round of applause from everyone in the room.
The next step was the election of the new chairman. Price asked for nominations, with Jack Schreffler nominating Menne, which was seconded by William Kripplebauer. Menne was the only one nominated and he was elected unanimously.
After the meeting, Madden said the first few years were rough for the authority because of residents opposing the installation of water meters as part of the mandate from the state Department of Environmental Protection about 1990 to provide an approved water supply to the borough and portions of Butler Township. AAMA was formed about that time to construct a water filtration plant at the borough reservoir in Butler Township and install the meters.
"This was very rough in those early years," Madden said. "We used to pack them in down there in the old borough because of that meter business."