Longtime Lower Burrell employee Nita Serene recognized with 1-day employment offer

Nita Serene can now say she’s worked for every mayor in Lower Burrell history.

Serene, who retired in March 2023 after working as the city’s administrative assistant since 1974, was given a one-day employment offer this week, at a compensation of $1, under the administration of Mayor Chris Fabry, who took office earlier this year.

“Nita was the face of the city for years and years,” Fabry said. “She was the first person you would see at City Hall and first person you would talk to if you called. She handled everything from residents, mail, phone calls, council appointments, putting together our binders.”

Working for the previous six mayors, Serene was known to be trusted, reliable, friendly and good-hearted, Fabry said. When Fabry joined city council in 2014, he was told Serene is the one “who really runs the city,” which he found to be true almost immediately.

“She had her hands in everything and always did her best for the city, council and mayor,” Fabry said.

During Serene’s retirement party last year, public works director Michelle Hatbob suggested the idea to do something for Serene so she can say she has worked for all of the mayors in city history.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Serene said of the recognition. “That was so sweet. I can’t believe they remembered.”

Serene said she enjoyed seeing the development of Lower Burrell over the years and the relationships she made with residents and co-workers. Lower Burrell was incorporated as a city in 1959.

Her return to work was Tuesday, but city officials joked she’d be able to work from home so she could babysit her grandchildren.

John Andrejcik, former mayor and current controller, said Serene’s work was the epitome of community service.

“She really does deserve it,” Andrejcik said. “She deserves it more than anybody in the world.”