MILFORD — The Milford Town Council voted to accept the resignation of Randy Veach from his position as utilities superintendent at a public town hall meeting, Thursday, May 26.

Utilities department employee Steve Marquart will serve as temporary certified operator.

In a letter, Veach wrote, “I have been asked by the town council to resign from my position. I apologize that this has to be done in a public forum, but that is what is required.”

Though a specific reason was not given by either the board or Veach for his removal, the superintendent had come under mounting criticism in recent monthly council meetings for the utilities department’s inability to operate within its allotted budget.

Veach was also notably absent from the council’s May meeting, which dealt at length with the emergency preparedness of utilities department facilities.

According to Dan Cochran, Milford council president, Veach’s “performance was not meeting the expectation of the council.”

Veach was a Milford employee for 36 years, six of those as superintendent following the passing of Dallas Winchester. “All the responsibilities that go with this position have never been taken lightly,” he also stated.

In December, 2015, he received the 2015 Small Systems Operator of the Year Award from the Indiana Rural Water Association.

The council passed a motion to accept Veach’s resignation and agreed to stipulations amounting to $34,820 in pay and benefits.