McElhaney Named Lower Merion Assistant Director Of Public Works

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA – Lower Merion Township has a new Assistant Director of Public Works but it's out a commissioner after Ward 3 Commissioner Paul A. McElhaney was chosen to take on the assistant director role, the township announced.

McElhaney, who has represented Ward 3 for 10 years, was chosen as the Assistant Director of Public Works after a months-long search, according to the township.

He resigned from his role on the Board of Commissioners Monday, Jan. 22 and will assume duties of the Assistant Director of Public Works in mid February, the township said.

According to the township, the commissioners will appoint an interim Ward 3 commissioner at a later date. Details on that process have yet to be released, but Patch will provide information as is becomes available.

McElhaney, a lifelong resident of the Belmont Hills section of Lower Merion Township, previously served as as both President and Vice President of the Board of Commissioners.

As such, he has extensive knowledge of Township services, budgeting procedures, facilities, policies, and of the Township as a community. McElhaney also has construction and infrastructure knowledge stemming from more than 30 years of experience in the private sector as a construction manager, director of operations, and project manager for several large construction firms.

His extensive experience includes project management of building construction, utility and energy retrofits, commercial roofing and sewer/infrastructure installation. These supervisory roles with private sector construction firms have also involved personnel management for substantial workforces.

Public Works Director Don Cannon noted it has been a difficult process to find someone who has the construction knowledge, personality, project management skills, and personnel management experience that are required.

"I look forward to having Paul’s extensive knowledge and experience helping to guide our full-service Public Works operation," Cannon said in a statement.

Township Manager Ernie McNeely said while its not common for a commissioner to move to a township position, McElhaney is uniquely qualified to serve as the Assistant Director of Public Works.

"It is unusual to have a Commissioner be considered for a Township position, however, an individual who has devoted basically volunteer service to the community in an elected position should not be excluded from consideration for a Township position when they are eminently qualified," McNeely said in a statement. "It is a staff duty to make sure to hire the most qualified candidate for any position that serves the Township. I am confident the Public Works Director’s decision to hire Paul McElhaney as Assistant Director will produce outstanding results and further enhance the high quality and responsive services for our Lower Merion residents."

Image via Lower Merion Township