Lower Burrell Council excited for future with new manager

Lower Burrell officials say they’re all-in on their soon-to-be next city manager, Greg Primm.

Council discussed interim Manager Jason Dailey’s recommendation to hire Primm, Allegheny Township’s manager, at its meeting Monday. Council will vote on Primm’s hiring Monday.

Should the vote pass, Primm would begin work Sept. 1 in Lower Burrell.

“I have known Greg for years and have enjoyed watching his very successful career flourish in the region,” Mayor John Andrejcik said. “We know he will find this position professionally and personally rewarding for many years to come.”

Lower Burrell contracted Dailey, of Dailey Operation Consulting LLC, for the past five months as interim city manager. Dailey replaced Amy Rockwell, who left to become Harrison’s manager.

Primm said Wednesday that he looks forward to joining the team at Lower Burrell and that the city is going in a direction he can assist in taking to the next level.

“I find it exciting, the vision they have for the city,” he said.

Primm is excited to get to know city staff and support them.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the staff and seeing what their ideas are,” he said.

‘Upgrade for Lower Burrell’

Councilman Chris Fabry thanked Dailey for his work with the city. Fabry mentioned that, when Dailey was hired, he was tasked with finding the next city manager.

“(Dailey) had several candidates in mind that he was kind of eyeing up,” Fabry said. “What happened was Jason called me, and he said that Greg Primm was interested in having a conversation about coming to Lower Burrell.”

Fabry mentioned there soon will be turnover on council — he is running unopposed for mayor, and Ron Welker and Mike Stanoski are running unopposed for council seats. Andrejcik is running unopposed for controller. However, outgoing and incoming council members were able to participate in Primm’s interview process, where all were impressed by Primm, Fabry said.

“He answered every question not only how we wanted it answered, but he took everything a step further with some of his answers,” Fabry said. “His grant writing experience, his financial experience with the budget … I think he’s the right person for the job.”

Primm has been involved in local government for more than 30 years, working as Allegheny Township’s manager for 14 years, following a 17-year stint as manager in Penn Township, Butler County.

Primm submitted his resignation letter to Allegheny Township on Friday, June 30, and gave an exit date of Aug. 31. He wasn’t at the meeting Monday but is expected to be present for next week’s voting meeting.

“What Greg brings to the table is a wealth of expertise, resources, skill — but, most importantly, personality — and that’s what he was chosen for,” Fabry said.

Andrejcik said he first met Primm at a newly elected officials training in Penn State, where Primm was a lecturer. Andrejcik said he “was impressed from the word go with his eloquence.”

“I believe, personally, that this is an upgrade for Lower Burrell. Greg has an impeccable record. I’ve never heard anybody speak anything negative about Greg, and I honestly and truly believe that we’re getting an upgrade in Lower Burrell,” Andrejcik said.

Pledge of transparency

One resident, Cheryl Szypulski, said Lower Burrell has come a long way in a short time, and she wants to make sure improvements continue to happen.

“I am concerned that we are on a projection, and I want to make sure we stay that way,” she said.

She said the role of city manager is an important one and needs to be filled with the best person possible.

Councilman David Stoltz affirmed council’s position of believing Primm is the right person for the job. He said Primm would work for council, and Lower Burrell would continue to remain transparent.

“We’ve said over and over again, we want people to know what we’re doing,” Stoltz said. “And that will continue with him.”

Councilwoman Brandy Grieff said that through the interview process, it was clear Primm is experienced and loves his line of work.

“I think he’ll be a fantastic addition to the city and to the whole team,” she said. “As far as, we have a really great thing going in Lower Burrell, we’re moving forward, we have great pace, we have super transparency. I think that’s how all of us operate. I think he’ll only add to that.”

She also complimented Primm’s ability to work with others, even those with different viewpoints.

“I think that he’ll be a fantastic addition, and I don’t have any reservations or hesitations in offering him the position,” she said.

‘Best manager in the A-K Valley’

Welker said one of the reasons he ran for council was to ensure Lower Burrell got its fair share of grant monies available.

“That was my hot button that I wanted to hear about Greg, so when you hear a guy that actually teaches grant writing and how to get grants, for me, that’s what did it for me,” Welker said.

During his tenure in Allegheny Township, Primm secured $4 million in grants, township officials said. He recently was awarded the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors’ Leadership Award.

Township officials also have said Primm was instrumental in the Tredway Trail extension process and improvements along Route 356.

Primm said he was proud of the township’s AA+ bond rating.

“There’s a lot of good people that live in Allegheny Township, and I will miss those people,” Primm said.

Allegheny Township resident Patrick Leyland addressed council and spoke highly of Primm’s work there. Leyland said Primm is a mentor to many and that Lower Burrell found the right person for the job.

“You are getting the best manager in the A-K Valley, and what every one of you said tonight about Greg is 100% true,” Leyland said.