West Chester Man Takes the Reins in Easttown

Dan Fox was sworn in as the new Township Manager of Easttown Township Monday. He took the oath of office from District Judge Thomas Tartaglio at the beginning of Monday's Easttown Board of Supervisor's meeting.


Fox is a West Chester resident was most recently township manager of New Garden Township in Southern Chester County.  Fox, who lives "right downtown" in West Chester brings 20 years of government and 10 years in the private sector to his new position. As a township manager he led managed Yeadon in Delaware County and Caln Township in Chester County for eight years before going to New Garden Township. In the private sector, Easttown Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Oran told the audience at the ceremony that Fox worked on bonds and other financial issues for municipalities and school districts, handling more the 2 billion dollars in portfolios for 200 school districts and municipalities.

Oram said the process of searching for a new Township Manager was quick, but efficient. Applications were accepted for a one month period. 45 people applied, including one from Canada. That pool of applicants was narrowed down to 13 who were interviewed by phone. From those 13, seven people were interviewed over seven consecutive days by the search committee. Four finalists met with all five members of the board of Supervisors.  Oram says after meeting Fox "we all said 'that's our guy.'"

Easttown is a township of 8.2 square miles with a population a little over 10,000. It is located about 14 miles east of West Chester and is part of the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District. It is home to the world-famouse Devon Horse show.

Fox will oversee the township's budget and day-to-day operations.  He says his first order of business will be "to look and observe" as he gets to know the township, the residents, and the township staff. The township manager oversees nine regular employees. (Five library employees technically fall under the township manager but are managed by a library director and board.  Township police officers report to the Chief of Police).

Fox's first full day on the job in will be Tuesday.

Fox replaces Mike Brown who resigned suddenly in February "to pursue other opportunities" after 13 months in the job. Specifics about what exactly led up to the Board of Supervisors accepting his resignation remain a "personnel issue" that is shrouded in mystery.  In February, former long-time Easttown Township Manager Gene Williams was asked to come out of retirement briefly right after Brown left. Mimi Gleason, the former Tredyffrin Township Manager, has been serving as Interim Township Manager since March during the search that led to Fox's appointment.

Related Stories:

Gleason Named Interim Easttown Township Manager

Easttown Manager Left to 'Pursue Other Opportunities'