After 45 years of service to Bristol Borough, Solicitor William “Bill” Salerno officially retired earlier this month.
This past summer Salerno told Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe he would be stepping down at the end of the year.
Bristol officials honored Salerno at December’s Council Meeting , the last of the year. An emotional Salerno told council the reality of leaving his position just hit him.
Salerno sits in the council chamber to the left of DiGuiseppe and right next to Borough Manager Jim Dillon. He often goes hours during meetings without saying a word. Salerno made those in attendance chuckle when he said, “sit down and relax this is going to take a few minutes.”
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“I’m not going to miss the work, but I will miss the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with, some of the best municipal people in the county,” he said.
Salerno served Bristol on council, zoning and planning commissions before becoming its lead municipal attorney, covering more than four decades of community service.
“In 2000 Ralph and I started this political journey. We got him elected. We got everyone else elected. We brought on really good people, and I think most people would agree that what you guys have accomplished in the last 20 years is miraculous.”
Salerno pointed to the dedication and cooperative efforts of government and volunteers working hand in hand to bring the many changes that have occurred in Bristol, adding DiGuiseppe is “the most effective municipal official in the county.”
Salerno will continue to work in the private sector as he has offices on Radcliffe Street.
I was born here, I’ve worked here, and I will die here, he said in his closing comments.
“We’re going to miss you,” Diguiseppe said.
The council plans to hire Jeffrey Garton of Begley, Carlin, and Mandio in the new year to serve as Borough solicitor. The firm began working with Salerno to facilitate their transition as legal representatives for the borough once Salerno’s plans to retire were made public in the summer.
In related Council news, the borough also honored outgoing west ward Councilman Michael Gorman. He chose not to seek reelection this year. Gorman also serves on the Visit Bucks County (VBC) Board of Directors and has done so since the Bucks County Commissioners appointed him in 2020. This past fall, Gorman said he would continue to serve the VBC Board.
In honoring Gorman, Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III called him an extremely valued asset to the Bristol community.
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“It’s been an honor to be a part of Bristol Borough such a wonderful community,” he said.
The near tears councilman said, thanks for making me feel like I belong here. It has been an honor and there’s no place like Bristol Borough.
Newly elected west ward Councilman Lee Cousin will be sworn in at the January 2, Council reorganization meeting, 7 pm.
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