Royce Rosenblath to retire at the end of the month

Jeff Green | Nov 09, 2016

An end to 55 years of service by one family to Addington Highlands Township

In 1986 Royce Rosenblath took over from his father Joe as the “road boss” in the former township of Denbigh, Abinger and Ashby after his father had served in the role for 26 years. 29 years later, now serving under the title of the Roads and Waste Management Supervisor in the amalgamated township of Addington Highlands, he is leaving at the end of the November.

In a letter he delivered to Council on Monday (February 7), he said “I would like to thank Reeve Hogg and the Council, both present and past, and the ratepayers of Addington Highlands for the opportunity to work with them for the past 29+ years ... I have enjoyed my employment and will miss working with my coworkers when my retirement day comes. Please accept this letter as my official notice of retirement, My last day at Addington Highlands will be November 30, 2016.”

Councilor Tony Fritsch said to Rosenblath that “there is no doubt that there will be a hole to fill after you leave. No one has the same feel for the history of the township, why decisions were made, what works and does not work.”

No reason was given for Rosenblath's decision to retire, although in his letter he noted that he would like to thank Tanya [also a Rosenblath – his cousin by marriage] who has been acting as the Roads and Waste Manager for the past 3+ months.

He may have had more to say at an in camera meeting which followed the regular meeting of Council.

Addington Highlands has also been undergoing an operational review this year, and one of its recommendations was the establishment of a Chief Administrative Officer to oversee all township operations. Currently it is one of a few townships where senior managers, such as the roads and waste manager, fire chief, and chief building official, all report directly to council.

Two special meetings have been set for next week to discuss that review.

At the end of his letter Rosenblath said he will be “glad to provide whatever assistance I can to provide for a smooth transition.”