Willard Troxel has led township’s public works since 1983.
A local legend has dedicated half a century to his community and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
The Upper Gwynedd commissioners honored longtime public Works Director Willard Troxel on Monday night for 50 — yes, 50 — years of work for the township.
“I can’t even begin to tell you, as a new commissioner, how important his historical knowledge of all things Upper Gwynedd has been,” said Commissioner Greg Moll.
“When I use the word ‘legend,’ I don’t use that term lightly. Willard is nothing short of a legend in Upper Gwynedd Township,” he said.
When Troxel started working for the township in May 1974, according to commissioners’ President Katherine Carter, Upper Gwynedd barely resembled the township today.
“50 years ago, there were approximately 7,000 residents in Upper Gwynedd, Public Works had a staff of four, and gas was only 39 cents a gallon. Today, there are over 17,000 residents in Upper Gwynedd, Public Works has a staff of 11, and gas is $4 a gallon — and Willard Troxel is still serving the township,” Carter said.
Troxel was promoted to head of the public works department in 1983, and since then has overseen all operations, including training, staff evaluations, and planning and supervising the ongoing repairs and maintenance of streets, stormwater facilities, township buildings and facilities, traffic lights, and rights-of-way.
“Willard’s wealth of knowledge about Public Works, and Upper Gwynedd Township in general, is astonishing, and we consider him the staff historian,” she said.
He’s also been a member of the township’s fire department since 1970, and over the years has served as a trustee, treasurer of the relief association, assistant engineer, chief engineer and deputy chief, Carter said, adding thanks to his wife Anita, daughters Janel and Jamie, and grandchildren Jaren, Julian and Mya for their support over the years.
“Willard accomplished all the above by building strong community relationships with residents, and lifelong friendships with coworkers all while maintaining his sunny disposition,” Carter said. “The Board of Commissioners of Upper Gwynedd Township wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to Willard Troxel and congratulate him on an outstanding career in public service, and service to the community.”
Longtime Upper Gwynedd Public Works Director Willard Troxel poses at the township’s Parkside Place complex.In addition to the formal resolution read by Carter, Moll recalled a recent tour he received from Troxel of the township’s public works facilities and equipment, where Troxel made sure to detail everything under his purview.
“He had a story for absolutely everything, right down to how much wood they used to burn to keep the buildings warm,” he said. “I’m glad that I got to know him, and meet him, and work with him, and I’m proud to congratulate you on 50 amazing years of service.”
Township Manager Sandra Brookley Zadell added her own thanks and said she often jokes during staff meetings about Troxel’s years of experience.
“Your knowledge of the township: I don’t know how we’ll ever replace it. I always say, ‘We have to be able to extract everything out of Willard’s head, and put it on a computer.’ I can say, ‘Willard, when did we last pave this road?’, and Willard knows in his head before I can go searching through the paper files,” she said.
“Pretty much anytime we go out to visit a resident, they’ve already met Willard many other times. That knowledge, and that personal touch that you have with the residents, enables them to trust us. I don’t think that personal touch will ever be easily replaced, and I know the residents know they can count on you.”
After a round of applause and handshakes, Troxel took to the microphone to thank the board for the honor.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working here in Upper Gwynedd. I just hope I can do it a couple more years. We’ll see,” he said.
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit www.thereporteronline.com.
