WMU commissioners resign, vacancies filled

Published 10:34 am Friday, September 29, 2017

The Winchester Municipal Utilities Commission bid farewell to two long-serving members last week.

Comissioner Betty Berryman’s term expires at the end of September, and she informed Mayor Ed Burtner she would not seek another term on the board. Berryman was appointed to the WMU board in 2009, serving as the board’s treasurer, according to board chair Mike Anderson.

“Ms. Berryman’s background was with The Winchester Sun, and she provided a conduit for WMU to develop its own public image and develop a level of trust with the public,” Anderson said.

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Berryman also oversaw updates to WMU’s personnel policies and procedures during her service, he added. Berryman said she enjoyed her time on the board.

“I’ve been on a lot of boards,” she said. “But I will say WMU had the biggest learning curve of any of them.”

Board member Paul Rodgers was also appointed to serve on the board in 2009.

Rodgers, an environmental engineer, served as vice chair for the board, but recently resigned his position  after accepting contracts that would require him to be away from Winchester for long periods of time.

“Mr. Rodgers has provided a high level of detail and expertise from his years of engineering experience,” Anderson said.

Rodgers helped develop the financial model used by the utility, and had input on the design of the utility’s new water treatment plant, Anderson said.

To fill Rodgers’ vacant seat, Burtner appointed John Omohundro. Jim Roarx will fill the vacancy left by Berryman beginning in October.