South Lyon officials say the recent departure of their longtime DPW director has left with them with the task of trying to find a replacement that can handle both the administrative duties as well as operate the city’s waste water treatment plant.

Bob Martin recently retired from South Lyon to take the DPW job with Lyon Township. But because state law requires the city to have a Class B licensed operator to oversee its treatment plant, city officials are faced with essentially having to hire two people to fulfill the duties Martin handled. The city has agreed to hire a licensed operator through Highland Treatment Inc. of Highland Township at a cost of $90 per hour.

But it was Martin’s dual-role as an administrator that will be missed. South Lyon’s consulting engineers Hubbell, Roth and Clark indicated that if the city can’t find an appropriately licensed operator with administrative experience, a second person may ultimately need to be hired to fill the job duties Martin handled. (JK)