An experienced Harrisburg-area administrator is heading east to become the new township manager in Lower Makefield.
The five-member board of supervisors voted unanimously at its Dec. 21 meeting to appoint David Kratzer to the position starting Jan. 9. He will succeed Kurt Ferguson, who resigned as Lower Makefield’s manager in early July to take the same position in Upper Dublin Township. Lower Makefield Police Chief Ken Coluzzi has taken on the added duties of interim manager since then.
Kratzer, 41, has been a consultant for a Harrisburg law firm for the past year and just prior to that was manager in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, for six years. His initial employment agreement in Lower Makefield is for one year at a salary of $200,000.
“Lower Makefield Township is a special community with a history of excellence,” he said at the meeting. “I look forward to working cooperatively and collaboratively with the board of supervisors, staff and the community to sustain and build upon the township’s past and current success. The appointment is a significant professional opportunity for me. My family and I look forward to becoming a part of this vibrant community.”
At Susquehanna, Kratzer oversaw 75 full-time employees and an annual township budget of about $30 million. Prior to that, he was township manager and assistant township manager at two municipalities in Lancaster County.
“The board is looking forward to working with Mr. Kratzer in continuing our efforts to keep Lower Makefield Township as a highly regarded place to live, work and play,” supervisors Chairman James McCartney said.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome such an experienced manager as David Kratzer,” added board member Fredric Weiss. “Under his stewardship, we expect LMT to continue to improve in all aspects.”
Other supervisors were equally confident that Kratzer and Lower Makefield will be a good fit.
“He has some challenges ahead of him,” Daniel Grenier said. “I believe people will be happy with him.”
While fulfilling his full-time obligations at his new job in Upper Dublin, Ferguson has continued working for Lower Makefield on a part-time consulting basis to finish some major initiatives like the 2023 budget and a new police contract. The consulting agreement expires at the end of the year.
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