Three Salisbury Public Works Employees Retire

Three longtime employees retired last week, their combined work experience totaling 100 years.

The retirees are Dennis C. Wirth, a mechanic for 45 years with the department; Robert Dean Drey, the crew leader who worked 38 years and Frank C. Young, an equipment operator for 15 years.

At the April 26 board of commissioners meeting, Public Works Director John Andreas said the occasion was "bittersweet" and thanked the men for their many years of service. Drey, the only one who attended the meeting, was presented with a plaque. Andreas said Drey took "first class care of the parks," among his many responsibilities, including the playgrounds, fields, leaf cleanup, plowing and winter maintenance.

"Dean was always leading the way," Andreas said. "He will definitely be missed."

"Thank-you for all your service," said Commissioner Joanne Ackerman. "You've done a great job," she said, noting that it was coming from someone who lives next to one of the township's parks.

Commissioner Robert Martucci Jr. quipped with one last request, "Could you paint the lines for the crosswalk on Emmaus Avenue?"

"Not my job," Drey responded.