SILER CITY — On Monday night, Siler City Town Manager Roy Lynch was asked to give the manager’s reports during the board of commissioners meeting — his last with the town and its governing body.
Friday marks Lynch’s final day with town; in April, he’ll begin work as the finance director for Chatham County, moving from his office here to the county offices in Pittsboro.
Lynch reflected on his time in Siler City, ranging from his experience as the town’s finance director to becoming manager and leading the town’s COVID-19 response.
“Working with the board of commissioners, town staff and residents has been rewarding for me, both professionally and personally,” he told the News + Record.
Lynch began working for Siler City as the town’s finance director in 2017 after serving as Liberty’s town manager. He became town manager in 2019 — replacing former manager Bryan Thompson, who also left the post to work for the county — and has served in that role for almost three years.
Since coming to Siler City, Lynch said he has seen the town grow in leaps and bounds in regard to several development projects and economic development.
“Many of those changes have been in progress for a number of years and it’s been gratifying to see projects completed and closed out that improve infrastructure and benefit the town,” he said.
One of the challenges Lynch faced during his tenure in Siler City was managing the town’s COVID-19 response and implementing mitigation strategies. Some of the steps Lynch took in partnership with town staff included installing and removing various restrictions over the span of two years — such as mask mandates in town facilities — and starting an incentive program to encourage town employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Following the changing guidelines and maintaining compliance was a day-to-day effort,” Lynch said. “Town staff and residents have been understanding and compassionate about the COVID restrictions implemented over the past two years.”
Lynch said Siler City has become his home, and through working with the town, he has made long-lasting relationships he is thankful for.
“I have really enjoyed my time working for the town and getting to know the community,” he said.
As Chatham’s new finance director, Lynch said he plans to take what he has learned as Siler City’s manager and apply those skills to continue to contribute to government operations on a larger scale.
“As with any new position we always have many things to learn, but the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in Siler City will help me to be successful in transitioning to the county,” he said.
During his report Monday, Lynch took the opportunity to directly address commissioners and town staff and thank them for how they have helped him grow in his time as Siler City’s manager.
“I want to, again, thank the board for your support and for the opportunities afforded me while working for Siler City,” he said. “I want to also thank the staff for their support, working with me and for your commitment to the town. It’s been a pleasure.”
Siler City staff will be hosting a send-off “floating cookout” for Lynch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fire station for employees and commissioners to say their thanks to the departing manager.
“I don’t know, maybe we’ll wrap him in toilet paper or something,” Mayor Pro Tem Chip Price joked. “There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, so if you (town staff) can stop by, it will be Roy’s last hoo-rah with us, so if you can be there, please come.”
Commissioners and town staff gave Lynch a round of applause at the end of Monday’s meeting, sending him off with support and gratitude.
Commissioner Bill Haiges thanked Lynch for the work he has done for the town and wished him well on his future endeavors.
“I think you’ve left the town in a better place than you found it, and you have set the example for anyone coming into a leadership role” Haiges said. “Thank you, Roy, for your hard work and service to the town.”
Reporter Taylor Heeden can be reached at theeden@chathamnr.com.
