Nanci Allard, the Village Manager has removed Bill Lyon from his duties as Superintendent of Public Works for the Village of Northfield effective on May 7, 2010.

This is a position which Mr. Lyon has held for the last 29 years.

The manager named Patrick Demasi, formerly the utility foreman to a newly created position of Utility Superintendent and he will be in charge of the water, sewer and electric departments.

Mr. Lyon will continue to be on staff on an as needed consultant, Ms. Allard said. Mr. Lyon will be of assistance to Mr. Demasi during this transitioncan Ms. Allard said.

She further said that the move is part of a succession plan since Mr. Lyon is reaching retirement age. She said that she informed the village trustees of her intention to make these changes during the budget process last winter.

In January, the Northfield Village Trustees voted to eliminate the position of Superintendent of Public Works. However, an uproar from the voters caused a majority of the trustees to change their vote and the position was included in the budget for this year.

Mr. Lyon has been Water Superintendent for the village since 1974 and became Superintendent of Public Works in 1981.

Mr. Lyon said that the change will allow him to better concentrate on road repairs and will give him more time to devote to road matters including the replacement of the culvert under Central Street which is being done this summer.