Paul Williamson, the director of the city of McMinnville’s water and wastewater collection department since January, has resigned.
“There comes a point in everyone’s life when they have to take a step to the side and look to see how everything is going. I decided I wanted a little time to myself and with my family without all the worries that working brings with it. I wanted to free my mind and let my hair down, what I’ve got left,” said Williamson, laughing.
He plans on enjoying retirement, period.
“I plan on enjoying my retirement,” said Williamson. “I don’t have any long-term plans at this time. I’ve been talking some things over with my wife and trying to get some things worked out. Hopefully, a cruise is in the not-too-distant future.”
Williamson was with the city almost 31 years, having been hired Sept. 10, 1984 as a water meter reader. He worked his way up and through the department, including working as a sewer rehabilitation crew chief and construction maintenance supervisor, to become director.
City administrator Bill Brock says Williamson, and the knowledge he brought to the department, will be missed.
“Paul will be missed by the city, by me and in the department,” said Brock. “He brought a lot of knowledge to the Water Department. Not only did we lose him, we lost that knowledge. When people leave they take that with them. That is a hard thing to replace.”
Before Williamson, Brock had been director of the department since September 2010. After four years and under the strain of being both Public Works director and city administrator, Brock requested the city hire someone to take over the reins as Water Department director.
During the last hiring process, the job description required a degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in civil engineering or related field or an associate degree may be substituted with eight years of progressively responsible experience required or five years of progressively responsible experience in water and wastewater operations of which two years must have been in a responsible supervisory consultative, or administrative capacity.
Other requirements include a valid Tennessee driver license and residency within McMinnville city limits or move within 90 days of employment. The requirement to be a city resident only extends to new hires and is not required if a current city employee applies and is appointed to the position.
The hiring process to find a new director will begin next week.