Mastrantoni calls it a career after 35 years of service to Weirton

WEIRTON - As of 4:01 p.m. Friday, a career of service to the community spanning 35 years (and four months) officially came to an end.

A.D. "Butch" Mastrantoni has served as utilities director for the city of Weirton since 1991, overseeing the operations of both water and sanitary systems. Coming to the city after previously working at the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, Mastrantoni was hired for the position by former mayor Edwin J. Bowman, staying on board for seven mayoral administrations.

Bowman was among those on hand, Thursday, to celebrate Mastrantoni’s career, often joking, but also offering his own congratulations for the milestone.

"I think Butch has been an asset. His knowledge and performance speaks for itself," Bowman said, adding the retirement will be a loss for the city of Weirton.

Bowman explained it was during his tenure as mayor that the positions of water director and sanitary director were unified, following the retirement of Dale Virtue. When Bruce Fox, who had taken on both positions, decided it was his time to step down, the city recruited Mastrantoni at the insistence of the late Bill Ridgeway, who, at the time, served as city attorney.

While Bowman was the first mayor for Mastrantoni, his final mayor, Dean Harris, also offered his congratulations Thursday.

A celebration of his career was held after this week’s Sanitary Board meeting, with Mastrantoni presented a watch and a mayoral proclamation in honor of his career.

Another gathering was held following Thursday’s meeting of the Weirton Area Water Board, with board members, city staff, and other guests meeting in council chambers.

"Everyone in this room, and 95 percent of the community, appreciates all the work that’s been done by you," Harris said, adding while Mastrantoni has often credited the teamwork of the water and sanitary employees, every team needs a good coach to lead the way.

The proclamation notes many of the milestone projects under Mastrantoni’s supervision, including the most recent projects. Those include expanding the treatment capacities of both the water and wastewater treatment plants, efforts to minimize rate increases through the pursuit of millions of dollars in state and federal grants and other financial packages to fund projects, replacement initiatives in the distribution systems and the construction of the Belleview Water Tank.

He was also responsible for overseeing the overhauls of various pump and clarifier systems, the implementation of sludge digestion operations, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems and an Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion system.

And his praise reaches beyond the county too. Mastrantoni’s work was recently recognized with the American Water Works Association’s George Warren Fuller Award for Distinguished Service and Outstanding Leadership.

"We’ve had a lot of success," Mastrantoni said, again giving much of the credit to the employees. "It’s easy in the last 18 months to lose sight of that."

Mastrantoni also thanked his wife Stephanie and their children and grandchildren for their support over the years.

Dan Guida serves as legal counsel for both the Water Board and Sanitary Board.

"People have no idea how much back-of-the-house goes on," he said, referring to work done behind the scenes, explaining the numerous phone calls, meetings, and other communications he and Mastrantoni have shared since he was brought in in 2001.

Using an aviation metaphor, Guida said Mastrantoni has been able to lift the utility systems and keep them steady, providing a good starting point for whomever steps into the role next.

"Butch has got it up high. That’s his parting gift," Guida said.

Ronnie Jones and Rocky Bragg are both former Water employees now serving on the board and took time during Thursday’s Water Board meeting, along with newer members Bob Kolanko, Joe Paolo, and Enzo Fracasso to offer their congratulations.

"Thank you so much," Bragg said.

Fracasso, who was appointed to the board Monday and previously served on city council, said he always knew if he needed advice or information on the utility systems he could call Mastrantoni, saying he hopes the opportunity will continue even without him officially on the job.

"If I can’t get it here, I know where I can get it," he said.

Similar words were given during Monday’s meeting of Weirton Council, where Mastrantoni provided his final formal report as utilities director and wished the best to the city.

"This is A.D. Mastrantoni, signing off," he said. "Butch out."

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)