One of the best pieces of advice Scott Peiffer ever received came from Department of Conservation and National Resources regional adviser Lori Yeich, who told him that "every project needs a champion."

Peiffer, who championed Quarryville projects during his five and a half years as borough manager, will become more of a cheerleader after he retires on Friday, June 20.

"It's time to move on," said Peiffer, who turned 67 years old on May 10. "There are a lot of other things I enjoy doing as well." He will have a little more time for his favorite hobbies - gardening, biking, fishing, kayaking, and surfing - and he wants to try disc golf.

Peiffer acknowledges he's not the retiring type. He already has one part-time job lined up, mowing along the Enola Low Grade Trail for Eden Township. "I love the trail, and I love helping to take care of it," he said.

Peiffer, a landscaper by trade, has been offered several more positions that involve outdoor work on a flexible schedule. "Maintaining things has kind of been my whole life, really," he said. Peiffer will continue in his role as general manager of the Solanco Fair.

Peiffer will also remain on the Lancaster County Planning Department's Parks and Recreation steering committee and is involved with the county's Economic Development Company, which is working on an outdoor recreation economic impact strategic plan.

"I love networking with county and state officials," Peiffer said. "I love meetings that are with groups of people who have similar interests and a desire to improve the community. I am fascinated by that and uplifted by the vision groups like that have. I feel that's how we are in the borough. We want to make it a place people desire to come to or live in."

Peiffer noted he will not miss some aspects of the job such as administering multiple pension plans and health care plans and dealing with investments and administrative overhead.

"There's a lot of pressure in (parts of the job)," Peiffer said. "There are a lot of issues to deal with. I've always treated it like I work for the 2,843 people who live here. ... My personality is I strive to make sure people are OK and happy with what I am doing."

One of the projects of which Peiffer is most proud is the recent completion of a rail trail connector on North Lime Street. The ribbon cutting was held May 22.

"I think the rail trail connector, which can bring the folks on the low-grade trail into the borough, is our best chance for economic uplifting of the downtown area," Peiffer said. "People can come off that trail and utilize some kind of borough service, whether it be a bike shop, a restaurant, a microbrewery, or an Airbnb."

Another one of Peiffer's pet projects is underway after five years of planning and preparation. Work has begun on the intersection of State Street and Church Street in the west end of town. "Growing up here, I've heard people complain about that traffic light for decades," said Peiffer. "When I became borough manager, I realized I had the opportunity to do something."

Peiffer is also happy to have been involved with smaller-scale projects such as the walkway to the library from a housing development on Fritz Avenue. During Peiffer's tenure, Quarryville completed an award-winning active transportation plan and official map, which has allowed the borough to seize opportunities when they arise.

Peiffer will be succeeded by Michelle Evans, who became assistant borough manager in January so that she could be mentored by Peiffer.

"In my opinion, there's never been another borough manager like Scott," said Evans, who has known Peiffer for 40 years. "He loves this community. He lives for this community, whether he's working or volunteering. He's going to be hard to replace."

Peiffer said his life has come full circle. A lifelong borough resident, his first job included cleaning restrooms, hosing down the pavilion, and emptying trash cans at Hufnagle Park, which is adjacent to his childhood home.

Peiffer got a part-time job with the borough after graduating from high school. He worked full time in the public works department from 1980 to 1985. He then started his own landscaping business, SEPCOM, which he sold in 2010. After that, he returned to work for the borough.

"Because Quarryville has always been home, there's always a desire to make it a better place," he said. "I've always been able to have a vision of where we should go, and I like seeing those improvements come to fruition."

Peiffer said he is thankful for his wife, Mary. "Mary has always been supportive and continues to put up with me and my endeavors," he said. "She should probably get an award." Their daughter, Marla Davis, and her husband, Kris Davis, are supportive and strive to give back to the community as well. Marla helped write the DCNR grant and raise the matching funds for the 2018 Huffnagle Park Playground Project. 

Peiffer stated he simply wanted to do the best he could for every Quarryville resident. "It's been truly an honor to serve all the people in the borough," he said.