Walnutport’s police chief, who has been with the department for 40 years, plans to call it a day.

Borough Mayor Wayne Weidner announced at Thursday’s borough council meeting that police Chief Pete Wayda will be leaving the borough as of June 28.

As a result, Weidner said he would like council to put an officer-in-charge until the borough gets a regular police chief, and suggested Sgt. Jason Nothstein, effective June 29.

Nothstein’s rate change is effective July 12. Nothstein earns $32.10 per hour but the pay compensation for officer-in-charge was not available as of press time.

Wayda, who said after the meeting he isn’t planning to retire until March 2025, will use accumulated time after June 28.

He thanked council, and added “It’s been a very enjoyable ride.”

Weidner told Wayda that council appreciates all that he’s done for the borough.

“Thank you so much,” Weidner said.

Wayda was hired as a patrolman in April 1984, and promoted to sergeant in November 1989. He then became borough police chief in 2014.

“I just felt it was time to leave,” Wayda said. “Forty years is a long time.”

Wayda said there are many things he’s grateful for throughout his tenure.

“I’m really proud of all my co-workers, past and present,” he said. “I established a lot of relationships, and made a lot of friendships in that period of time. I always enjoyed working with borough council.”

Counting Wayda, the department has four full-time officers and three part-time officers.

“I hope I can leave the department in a good place,” he said. “It’s been a long, but enjoyable ride.”

Nothstein has been with the department since 2000 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2013.