Katherine “Kathy” Burger spent her last official meeting as township manager among those who warmly wished her the best.
From Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson, Police Chief Arthur E. Waterman and Emergency Coordinator Robert Dovi, Burger was presented with accolades and a keepsake and quipped that she almost didn’t come to the Nov. 21 session.
Watson presented the retiring Burger with a proclamation that detailed her 36 years of service in Medford.
“It’s a sad day and a good day for you at the same time,” the mayor relayed, adding he enjoyed working with Burger for almost 12 years. “…We have accomplished a lot of great things for Medford. You played a big part.”
Burger has been a township employee since 1987, beginning as cashier in the tax office. She was then transferred to the finance office in 1988 and rose through the ranks after obtaining her Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO) Certification from the Rutgers Center for Local Government Services. She was appointed chief municipal finance officer in 2005 and served in that role for 10 years.
Burger also earned her Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) Certification from the Rutgers Center and was appointed municipal clerk in 2009, according to the proclamation. Burger is also certified by the Rutgers Center as a Municipal Registrar of Vital Statistics and has been the township’s registrar since 2009. She was named township manager in 2015, the position from which she is retiring.
Burger has also served as a fund commissioner for the county and as Medford’s safety and wellness coordinator, a role in which she helped the township win multiple safety awards. Waterman said Burger has been highly regarded for her work with the police department to meet its organizational goals and maximize its role in the community.
“Since becoming chief in 2021, my relationship with Kathy has changed …” Waterman observed. “We would talk every day … Her dedication to Medford and her fellow employees embodies the police department’s motto of ‘integrity, respect and fairness.'”
