RIDGWAY — Ridgway Borough Manager Kim Zimmerman has resigned from his post. He is expected to step down in December, but no definite date has been set.
Zimmerman will be leaving to one of two destinations. He said he’s been accepted to Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colo., into the top-rated gunsmithing program in the entire country. Zimmerman was one of 17 applicants selected out of the 51 who applied.
Zimmerman may also have a civilian job at Eielson Air Force Base located within Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska managing housing on the base. However, he is still weighing his options as to which direction he will head.
Zimmerman, who started with the borough in October of 2013, is pleased with the progress Ridgway has made during his tenure as borough manager. He estimated between $75,000 to $100,000 in blighted properties have been razed over the last two years.
Zimmerman also said an overhaul of the water billing system has allowed the borough to collect on many delinquent water bills since 2013. He also noted a large quantity of much-needed equipment was purchased for the borough during his tenure, and in that time, Ridgway Borough Council only raised taxes 1 mill in the last two years.
However, Zimmerman lauds borough council for the hard work they have put in together with him. He described both borough council and staff as “phenomenal.”
“Council has been trying to move Ridgway forward with technology and management,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman also said the borough did a great job in surviving and recovering from the 100-year flood in 2014 with “very little help from anyone,” although he may not see the flood deterring projects come to complete fruition before he leaves.
The borough is working on a flood control program with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency as he leaves, as well as the $1.2 million Flood Control Project of Elk Creek with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Zimmerman said among the ongoing projects the borough will face after his departure will likely include replacement of water lines, sewer lines and paving.
Zimmerman credits Kane Borough Manager Don Payne as both a friend and a mentor. He said he and Payne have been working diligently together to start a consortium of local boroughs, townships and municipalities to ensure health care premiums stay low while achieving compliance with the Affordable Care Act.
“If I’m half as good as (Payne),” Zimmerman said, “I’d be happy.”
Payne described Zimmerman as “a progressive guy” who has done a lot for the borough of Ridgway over the last couple of years. While he is sorry to see Zimmerman leave, Payne understands.
“I hate to see (Zimmerman) go,” Payne said, “but life is all about bettering yourself.”
Zimmerman said the borough will likely appoint an interim manager, likely an internal candidate, as they search for his successor. He said the borough may take a little extra time to make sure they have the right person for the job.
Borough council president Ralph Dussia said the personnel committee met briefly to discuss filling Zimmerman’s resignation. He said they will meet again on Tuesday to revise the job description for the borough manager’s position, and discuss exactly what they will seek in a new borough manager.
The personnel committee is comprised of John Cosolo Jr., Sam McDonald, and Frank Quattrone.
