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SALEM -- The utilities commission named a new superintendent during a special meeting Tuesday.
The commissioners unanimously approved the resignation of Superintendent Butch Donnalley effective July 31, and the appointment of Assistant Superintendent Chad Hess as the department's new superintendent effective Aug. 1.
An Austintown native, Hess has served as Salem's assistant superintendent since Aug. 5, 2024. Prior to that, he served as the utilities superintendent for the village of New Waterford for 12 years. He said that he was excited to continue serving the community in his new role and seeing the department's ongoing projects to completion.
"I'm excited for the new position and continuing all the projects we've been working on and seeing them to fruition. I'm looking forward to serving the community and the utilities department and keeping the ball moving forward for the betterment of Salem as a whole," Hess said.
Hess said that he wouldn't be making any changes in the immediate future, and that for the time being he'd be collaborating with the department's management team "to ensure everything keeps moving forward in the right direction." He also said that while the assistant superintendent position would need to be filled eventually, the department will focus on filling a few vacancies at the wastewater treatment plant first.
"We've got a great group of personnel that go above and beyond to make sure things run smoothly. I appreciate all the hard work they do and am looking forward to working with them," Hess said.
When contacted regarding his departure Tuesday, Donnalley said he was unable to comment at that time.
The utilities commission will meet next at 3 p.m. on Aug. 20.