Photo by James Short.
Dan DeMeno will resign effective Aug. 30 for a management position at another municipality.
Schwenksville Borough Council voted Thursday to hire a consulting firm for interim borough manager services and to assist in a search for a new permanent manager, as Manager Dan DeMeno announced his resignation, effective Aug. 30.
Council voted unanimously to hire Imperium Consulting for interim manager services at $150 an hour, not to exceed 20 hours a week.
Secondly, council voted for the firm to assist in a search for a new manager at the same rate, not to exceed $4,000.
Council also voted to advertise the borough manager position.
Imperium will begin its services on Aug. 28, so that there is two days of overlap to offload information to the firm.
“I can all say we appreciated your time with us, even though it was brief,” said council Vice President Lee Ann Manning. “We appreciate your dedication and you’ve addressed a lot of issues. So it’s full speed ahead.”
Manning said the borough will always be happy to see him.
Before voting to hire Imperium, Manning said the firm was used in the past for its last borough manager transition. DeMeno was hired in February 2022.
“This is customary, although it should be less costly than the last go-around,” she said.
Borough Council President Chris Melville said council was sad to hear of DeMeno’s intentions to resign to pursue a management position with a larger municipality.
“During this time, he has overseen numerous significant projects ensuring the Borough’s growth and revitalization. Under DeMemo’s leadership, the Borough successful received over $1 million in grant funding to improve Borough infrastructure and recover from Hurricane Ida,” Melville said.
DeMeno oversaw some key projects in Schwenksville, Melville said, such as the re-build of the Borough Hall and Community Center post-Ida, settlement with FEMA/PEMA, as well as the first stages in mitigation by initiating a study of the Centennial Street storm water system, resurfacing of Hillcrest Avenue, securing grant funds to resurface Summit Avenue and replace the traffic signals along Main Steet at its intersections with Game Farm Road and East Park Avenue, balancing budgets, including the establishment and funding of a capital reserve fund, and increasing relations with neighboring municipalities.
“We are extremely grateful for DeMeno’s leadership and service he has provided in a short two-and-a-half years. Dan certainly is leaving the Borough better than when he arrived, and we will be forever grateful for his dedication and service,” Melville said. “We wish Dan well as he embarks on the next chapter in his professional career.”
Melville said council is ensuring a smooth transition from DeMeno to interim manager to permanent successor.
“The goal is to ensure continuity in the borough’s operations and services,” Melville said.
DeMeno would not reveal his municipal destination, but said he is leaving behind a special town with good people who he will miss dearly.
“I am looking forward to seeing the Borough continue to develop and thrive in the future,” he said.
