After almost eight years serving as Carrboro town manager, Steve Stewart announced Wednesday that he will retire in late summer or early fall.

Stewart, a Burlington native who has worked in local government since he was 23 years old, started as town manager for Carrboro in September 2003. During more than 34 years as a local government manager, Stewart has worked in communities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. He is also a member of the N.C. City and County Management Association and the International City/County Management Association.

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton said that Stewart has helped Carrboro through a period of intense new planning for bicycle and pedestrian pathways and helped move through the planning phases of Carrboro’s greenway system. Stewart also helped reduce the price of health insurance for town employees, without reducing benefits, Chilton said.

“He’s done a lot of things like those to make our town government more cost effective and yet continue to provide the services citizens can count on,” Chilton said.

Chilton also praised Stewart for watching out for taxpayers.

“Steve is very honest and open with his opinion about what’s happening in town government. He’s done a great job of being available to us and looking out for taxpayers.”

Stewart has not set an exact date for his final day in office, but Chilton said Stewart intends to continue his residency in Carrboro and enjoy his retirement. Chilton says he looks forward to Stewart being a resource for the next town manager.

“It’s going to be a tall order to replace Steve when we hire our next manager, but we will do it somehow,” Chilton said. “Definitely going to be looking for somebody who has the same characteristics, outstanding experience in town government and the ability to bring a creative eye to keeping costs down.”

In addition to announcing his plan to retire, Stewart thanked the Mayor and Board of Alderman, the town employees and the community of Carrboro for allowing him the chance to serve as town manager. Chilton said that the town is sorry to see Stewart go.

“We’re sorry that he is retiring, but he certainly earned it,” Chilton said. “He’s been really great to work with and we’re grateful to have benefited from his many years of public service.”