Top Lower Merion Official Announces Resignation

Bruce D. Reed, president of Lower Merion Township's Board of Commissioners for the past four years, will resign next month, the township announced Thursday afternoon.

Subsequent calls for comment reached voicemail at Reed's home and office and at the home of Mark Taylor, the board's vice president.

Reed's term as Ward 13 Commissioner, representative of Cynwyd and Merion Park residents, is set to expire in January 2012. The board approved the 2011 budget last week, raising taxes 10.8 percent.

Ward 10 Commissioner Scott Zelov said that Reed's resignation had not been discussed prior to his e-mail announcement.

"Bruce Reed has dedicated many years of service to the township, both as a commissioner and as board president, and I thank him for that," Zelov said. "Presiding over our board of 14 is difficult. He's the second board president to resign before the end of his term. I wish him well in the future, and certainly wish him enjoyment of his Wednesday nights."

Zelov said it's still too early to tell who might fill the role Reed is leaving.

"There will be new leadership, and that's needed on this board," Zelov added. "It's time for a change in leadership."

Below is the township's written statement:

"The Township Secretary's Office has received  a letter of resignation from Board President Bruce D. Reed, who also serves as Ward 13 Commissioner for the Township.  The letter notes President Reed's intention to resign effective the close of business on Wednesday, January 19th; the advance notice was intended to provide an opportunity for the advertisement of the vacancy, interviews and subsequent selection of Reed's successor."

"The letter, addressed to the attention of Township Secretary Eileen Trainer states, 'It has been an honor to serve in this capacity, and I want to convey my thanks to you, Doug Cleland, and the other remarkable members of the Township staff and family who have helped to make our community what it is, and what it will hopefully remain.'"

"Bruce D. Reed was sworn-in as Ward 13 Commissioner on January 4, 2004.  He assumed the Board Vice-Presidency in 2006, and was elected President later that same year.   He has resided in Lower Merion since 1988 and is a former President and Director of The Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, served as Co-Chair of the Lower Merion Township Planning Commission, and is a member of the Board of Directors of, and Solicitor for, the Lower Merion Historical Society.  The Township Secretary will advertise the Ward 13 Commissioner vacancy; it is anticipated that interviews would take place on January 12th, with the selected new Commissioner installed at the January 19th Board of Commissioners meeting."