Public-works Director Takes Over In L. Merion

By Wanda Motley, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: June 11, 1989

After a four-month nationwide search, Lower Merion officials have chosen an administrator from Wisconsin to take over the reins at the Department of Public Works.

Ernest M. Winters, past superintendent for public works in the small Milwaukee suburb of Brown Deer, has replaced Bert L. Williams, who retired

from the department in January. Winters finished his first full week Friday.

Winters, 34, who takes over a 140-staff department with five divisions, said he was attracted to the position because of the size of the township and the challenges it presented. He is married and has a 15-month-old son.

"I want to continue the history of excellent service to residents in an efficient and effective manner," said Winters, who came from a 14-member department in a community of 15,000.

"One of the biggest challenges will be to continue to provide services to the residents while also striving to keep costs and expenditures of tax

dollars down," he said.

Charles F. Ward, president of the Board of Commissioners, said Winters, who has 10 years of experience in public works, was "extremely qualified" and would bring an expertise to public-works efforts.

"We have tremendous needs in that area," said Ward, who worked on the search committee. "We need a strong leader, and we feel he is that person." The township has about 60,000 residents.

Winters, who is a native of northern Illinois, said one of his first steps would be "to get up to speed" on current projects, including final touches to the township's new public-works complex on Woodbine Avenue, the expanded recycling program set for the fall and the repaving of several streets.

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