Chautauqua town highway superintendent to retire
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MAYVILLE -- A recently re-elected town highway superintendent has decided to not accept his term and instead is going to retire.
During the Chautauqua Town Board meeting, Dan Thorsell announced that he would be resigning for the purpose of retirement, effective Dec. 23. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve as the highway superintendent of the board and for the taxpayers of the town of Chautauqua," he said.
He recommended the town board appoint Terry Sanden as the next highway superintendent, which the board agreed to do. Sanden has been serving as the town's deputy highway superintendent.
Thorsell has been with the Chautauqua Highway Department for 30 ½ years. He served as the highway superintendent for the last five years. "It's been a great job," he said.
Town Councilman Scott Cummings said Thorsell will be missed. "You've done a really good job in the town. You have a good work ethic," he said.
Resident Karen Engstrom thanked Thorsell as well. "On behalf of the public we would like to thank Dan Thorsell for his tremendous work. I have never seen such a neat and proper town facility anywhere. ... When you travel around the county like I do, I'm so proud of our particular little corner of the world. And when the guys get up in the middle of the night when the snowflakes start falling and the ice, I just can't thank them enough for that plowing that goes on," she said.
Thorsell began working in the town as a mechanic. He said he plans on continuing to do mechanical work on vehicles in his retirement. "I have a small dealership. I'm going to go to the action and get more cars," he said.
After the meeting, Thorsell said when he first began as highway superintendent, his predecessor retired during his term and Thorsell was appointed to the position. After doing it for a year, he decided to run for a full term.
Thorsell said by him leaving after the election, this will give his deputy a chance to serve as the appointed superintendent and if he decides he likes it he can run at that point. If he decides that he doesn't like it, Sanden will be able to go back to his former job if he chooses.
Sanden's appointment lasts until the next election.