Commissioners on the Manchester Water Works board formally accepted the retirement of a long-serving deputy director in distribution and praised the employee’s decades of service.

During the personnel discussion, commissioners and staff recounted the retiree’s career, saying he had decades of service and was a trusted subject-matter expert within the department. The board unanimously approved a motion to accept the retirement with regret.

Staff identified Mark Burke as the staff member selected to step into the distribution role; commissioners were told Burke has decades of relevant experience including prior service with the waterworks and utility inspection and management roles. Staff said Mark Burke will attend the next meeting to be formally introduced to the board.

The board also confirmed the hire of David Nason as one of two watershed maintenance workers; Nason reportedly started the week of the meeting. One watershed maintenance worker position remained open and posted.

Commissioners thanked departing staff and noted transitions will reduce near-term salary and benefit costs cited during the budget discussion.