by Leah Justice
leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The Town of Tryon said goodbye last week to Public Works Director Joel Burrell, who has decided to retire after being employed with Tryon for 29 years.

Burrell decided to retire this year after accumulating 30 years including accrued vacation and sick leave.

Tryon Town Council met Jan. 20 and presented Burrell with a resolution of appreciation for his service.

Burrell began working with Tryon in 1986. He was promoted to wastewater treatment plant supervisor in 1996, appointed as interim public works director in 2005 and also served as a volunteer firefighter for the town from 2005-2009. Burrell also served often as acting town manager in times of need.

“Joel Burrell, during his years with the Tryon Public Works Department earned many special certifications including Grade C Water Meter Technician (1987), Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (1988), Grade B Water Meter Technician (1988), Grade C Water Distribution Operator (1988), Grade I Wastewater Collection System Operator (1988), Grade C Water Treatment Facility Operator (1988), Grade A Water Meter Technician (1990), Grade II Collection System Operator (1994), Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (1996), Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (1998), Grade C Water Distribution System Operator (1998) and Grade 1 Physical/Chemical Water Pollution Control System Operator (2003),” said Tryon Town Manager Joey Davis as he read the resolution.

Davis continued, “and, whereas, Joel Burrell obtained advanced training at Shoring Safety Training School (1987), Western Regional Water Meter & Pipe Systems School-Intermediate Meter School (1988), Advanced Meter School (1989), Intermediate Wastewater Treatment School (1992), Vulnerability Assessment and Security Planning (2003), How to Supervise People (2007), Flagger Training Certification School (2010), Disaster Debris Management Training (2012), Flagger Training Course Updated Certification (2013) and Toxicology Workshop (2014).”

As public works director, Burrell managed the street, sanitation, water and wastewater departments.

Burrell also served countless hours as a staff representative for many town advisory committees, including the public works committee, parks committee, Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, Eastside Citizens Advisory Committee, Isothermal Planning & Development Commission RPO Technical Coordinating Committee as well as others.

Davis also said Burrell has been instrumental over the years in obtaining and administering grant funding for the town’s major construction projects for a total value in the millions.

Burrell plans to begin his retirement on March 1, 2015. Burrell will be replaced by Gary Walker, who has been employed with Tryon for 32 years. Most recently he served as the town’s collection system supervisor.

“Joel Burrell’s legacy is a public works department with highly skilled workers who keep municipal services running efficiently, new equipment purchased, long range planning completed for essential water and sewer infrastructure, improved streetscape and park assets in downtown Tryon and an outstanding sports/recreation complex at Harmon Field,” states the town’s resolution.