By Scott Sullivan
Editor
The Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority board voted 3-1 at a special meeting Friday to terminate 14-year manager Daryl VanDyke.
At their regular session three days later, members accepted the resignation of senior member Barry Johnson as chair, naming Abby Bigford interim chair in his place.
Bigford, the board’s Saugatuck Township representative, joined Douglas’s Greg Freeman and Jennifer Ludwick in favor of VanDyke’s firing. Saugatuck city rep Joe Clark was opposed, while peer Johnson was not present Friday.
Freeman told Douglas City Council at its Monday meeting the board had longstanding concerns with VanDyke over behavioral issues “that should have been addressed years ago.
“We deemed termination necessary and it took effect immediately. Facility locks and computer access have been changed. Mr. VanDyke has an attorney and we anticipation litigation so it’s wise we speak carefully. It’s a new day at Kal Lake,” Freeman said.
The board has appointed operations supervisor Kaz Bjac interim manager to assure continuity of operational oversight while members seek to permanently fill the full-time post, Bigford said.
Public services will continue without interruption during this transition, she went on.
“The people who work there now know how to make the plant work,” Freeman said.
KLSWA, in its 40th year, is dedicated to providing safe and reliable drinking water and sanitary sewer services to the communities of Saugatuck, Douglas and surrounding areas.
Today, it operates from its 6449 Old Allegan Road headquarters 20 public sanitary sewer lift stations, six wells, a treatment plant, water storage reservoir and an extensive network of sewer piping and watermain.
“We are committed to being there 24/7/365, responding to emergencies and ensuring that our communities have clean water they can trust,” KLSWA’s mission statement says.
Its 5-member board is appointed for 3-year terms and meet the third Monday of each month at 10 a.m. in KLSWA offices, unless noted otherwise.
