Longtime Etna Borough Public Works employee Keith Taylor was recognized for his decades of dedication to the community at the March 21 borough council meeting.

It was Taylor’s last day of employment after more than 44 years working for the borough. Before Etna transferred the handling of its water system to Hampton Shaler Water Authority, Taylor, a lifelong Etna resident, was one of the borough’s water system operators. He became well known through his many interactions with citizens during his days as a water meter reader.

“He was a favorite of a lot of people because they saw him coming to the house, especially a lot of our senior citizens,” Etna borough manager Mary Ellen Ramage said. “I think he had a lot of cookies and things baked for him over the years.”

Taylor still lives in Etna with his wife Mary. They have a grown son.

A message on the borough’s Facebook page said, “We wish Keith many years of retirement enjoyment! We bet there will be a lot of fishing in the years to come!”

In other business at the March 21 meeting, Etna adopted a Compassionate Community Ordinance. It prohibits declawing and tethering of cats, and expands protections that prohibit pet owners from leaving dogs outside during inclement weather. Along with the ordinance, the borough entered into a memorandum of understanding with Animal Friends of Pittsburgh.

As part of that agreement, Animal Friends will donate pet food to the Bread of Life Food Pantry and provide discounts to Etna residents for spaying and neutering of their pets and vaccines as well as puppy training sessions at the Animal Friends Wellness Center.

“We’re very proud of that,” Ramage said.

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