John M. Shepherd, former North Huntingdon manager and secretary, abruptly resigned from the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority board of directors, effective immediately.

Commissioners were expected to approve the resignation at last night's meeting and to begin the process to appoint a replacement for the remaining three years of Mr. Shepherd's five-year term.

Mr. Shepherd, the municipal manager of West Deer, was North Huntingdon's top administrator for nine years. He resigned in late December 2007 and was replaced by his assistant, Kelly S. Wolfe, who then resigned in March.

"John Shepherd ran North Huntingdon like a business. His achievements prepared the township to meet the needs of the 21st century," said former commissioner Tom Kerber, who was board president during most of Mr. Shepherd's tenure.

The commissioners appointed Mr. Shepherd to the authority board in January 2007 as one of three township representatives. He replaced John Thornton, who was not re-elected as the 7th Ward commissioner.

"John Shepherd's resignation is a surprise," said Robert Pioth, authority board president and a representative of North Huntingdon.

"He brought in some fresh ideas that our board implemented to improve the overall efficiency of the WWMA sewage treatment system."

Mr. Shepherd was instrumental in moving forward an investigation into the fiscal practices and travel expense policy of the WWMA board.

That probe was initiated by the North Huntingdon Municipal Authority board of directors in late 2006 at the request of township commissioners. It led to changes in the travel policy and triggered an investigation by the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission.

Mr. Shepherd was considered a strong candidate to replace Mrs. Wolfe as township manager until he advised commissioners, through township solicitor Bruce E. Dice, that he was not interested in the position.