A little more than a month after resigning from his part-time position with the Eldred Township Public Works Department, supervisor Blaine Silfies turned in his resignation to the board at the end of their meeting on Wednesday.

Silfies said after the meeting that he and his wife decided to sell their house because taxes are too high. He said they are going to spend their retirement traveling. He has a long list of places he wants to see, including Alaska, Ireland and visits with family in other states.

During the meeting, Silfies thanked several people.

To Donna Deihl, Silfies thanked her for her work managing the Eldred Township Thrift Store.

“You’ve done a great job,” he said. “There are a lot of people in need, so I thank you for meeting that need.”

To the Public Works Department crew, “You guys have been amazing this year.” Silfies said they have filled the roles of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, arborists and road crew in their work. “You guys have really outdone yourselves this year, thank you for that. ”

To Jonathan Gula, the supervisor of the Public Works Department, Silfies said his abilities are impressive.

“I think we definitely got an ace with you,” he said. “Thank you for that. You brought the best out of your crew.”

To Ann Velopolcek, the township secretary, Silfies said she was always helpful and always knew where the materials were that he needed.

To Mike Gaul, the township solicitor, he said, “Thank you for keeping us on the straight and narrow.”

“Now for the two guys who sit alongside of me,” Silfies said about Gary Hoffman and Scott Clark.

Of the various boards he has served on over the years, Silfies said serving with them “has been the most enjoyable out of all that; 99.9% of the time, we’re on the same wave length. That’s unusual sitting on a board, and I thank you guys for that. It’s made this chair pleasurable to sit in, thank you.”

Clark thanked Silfies for helping him when he first became a supervisor.

“I wish you luck,” he said.

Hoffman said he and Silfies go back a long way. “I thank Blaine for his collaboration, his partnership, and friendship as well.”

During public comment, Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company Chief Brian Stankovich thanked Silfies for supporting them. “Thank you for past volunteering with the fire company, serving the community. We wouldn’t be here where we are today without you and the whole board supporting us with our vision.”

Silfies was elected to the seat in November 2021. He replaced JoAnn Bush, who did not run for re-election.

Gaul said that the supervisors have 45 days to accept the resignation, and 30 days to fill the position after the resignation has been accepted.

Hoffman said they will act on the resignation at their meeting in April. Any eligible resident of Eldred Township who would like to be appointed to the board is encouraged to submit their letter of interest to the township office.