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Boardman road superintendent retires after 33 years with township
BOARDMAN
Road Superintendent Larry Wilson wasn’t quite sure what it would feel like to wake up today and not have to go to work.
He was eager to find out, though.
After 33 years working for the township, Wilson’s last day on the job before retiring was Thursday. He is succeeded by Marilyn Kenner, who served as chief deputy Mahoning County engineer before joining the township staff in 2013.
In an interview with The Vindicator, Wilson reflected on his career.
“It’s been very fulfilling,” he said. “In this day and age, a lot of people go from job to job. ... A lot of people don’t get that opportunity to spend it [their career] all in one place.”
His career began in 1983, when Wilson was hired by the township. He became a full-time laborer later that year. He worked his way up the ranks, becoming a driver in 1990 then later an operator. For 12 years during that time period, he also served as union president for the Township Workers’ Association.
He became assistant road superintendent under Gary Dawson in 2001, then took over the superintendency after Dawson’s death in 2004.
His toughest time as a leader came in 2008, he said, when the road department was forced to lay off 13 workers.
“That was a traumatic time for me,” he said.
His biggest successes as superintendent, he said, were implementation of a joint road-paving program with Austintown and Canfield and an effort that in recent years allowed the township to save money on road salt as prices for it soared statewide.
Trustee Brad Calhoun also identified those initiatives as among Wilson’s achievements and noted Wilson’s deep knowledge of the township.
“Every time I asked him something, he had some sort of insight on it,” he said. “How things came about in the township, about Boardman’s history – not just the roads.
“He can tell you where houses were, where all the [underground] lines are. He put most of these things in, at some point in his 33 years, whether he was a laborer or as superintendent,” said Calhoun. “He touched every area of the township.”
As for his retirement, Wilson said he is looking forward to spending time with his family, especially his 5-year-old grandson, and spending time on the golf course. Down the road, he might consider doing some part-time consulting work – unless he decides he enjoys retirement too much.
One thing he won’t miss is being called out at all hours because of winter storms, a duty that caused him to miss many Christmas mornings with his family, he said.
“Those little moments, you miss – but it is what it is when you’re in this position,” he said.
Now during winter, he said, “The only thing I’ll be concentrated on is getting my wife to work on time.”
Although Wilson is looking forward to a break, he noted that he gave his new cellphone number to other township officials. Calhoun said Wilson made it clear he’d be available to answer calls or stop by if someone needed his help.
“Most people who retire, they just want to walk away,” he said, “Not Larry.”