JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Berlin Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter, right, on Monday said she submitted for retirement, effective June 1. Also pictured are Town Clerk Kelsey Jensen, left, and Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Feb. 28, 2019) Longtime Berlin Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter is turning in her retirement papers.

Human Resources Director Jeff Fleetwood shared the news, which he said was bittersweet, during a Town Council meeting on Monday night.

According to Fleetwood, Kreiter was hired in September 1991 and her retirement date is June 1, 2019.

Town Councilman Dean Burrell recalled the first time he saw Kreiter.

“She was in a hole in front of my house, digging just as hard as Marvin was,” he said, referring to Water Superintendent Marvin Smith, a well-known and veteran town employee.

“I had to! I had to prove that I could do it,” Kreiter said.

Councilman Elroy Brittingham wondered who would now supervise Smith?

“Marvin’s been here a lot longer than I have,” Kreiter said with a laugh.

“But he listens to you!” Brittingham said.

All of the councilmembers present on Monday offered their congratulations.

“I’m sorry that you’re going, but you’ve earned it,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “We’ll obviously have an appropriate farewell, but it’s not time to think about that yet.”

“We’ve got budgets to work on!” Kreiter said.

The town will honor several employees for their service time during an annual recognition ceremony on March 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Honorees include Police Cpl. Christopher Bireley (20 years), Williams and water distribution worker James Lockwood (15 years), Police Spo. Edward Carmean and Councilman Troy Purnell (10 years), and Assistant Waste Water Superintendent Keith Dukes, water distribution worker Ryan Showell, Spraysite Supervisor Meghan Pfaller, Planning Director Dave Engelhart, accountant Rondell Wise, and Town Administrator Laura Allen (five years).