When the Butler Township supervisors hired Ed Kirkwood as their manager on Feb. 18, 2008, they agreed to keep his predecessor, Jerry Patterson, on an hourly retainer to help out if the new guy found himself in a pickle.

Nice gesture. Patterson had been the township manager for a quarter century.

Kirkwood stayed on for a decade. Now that it’s his turn to retire, he’s extending the same courtesy.

Pay attention now. This is interesting.

Ten years ago, the township commissioners agreed to pay Patterson $75 an hour for consulting services.

Kirkwood is settling for less than that — quite a bit less. He’ll accept $63 an hour, $65 an hour if they need him next year.

Those who have worked with him say that sums up Kirkwood’s management style — always looking to shave a dollar if it favors the municipality, even if the dollar comes out of his own pocket.

That says something about the man. Among other things, it says, “Call on me if there’s a problem.”

By all indications there will be few problems. It ought to be a seamless transition as Kirkwood prepares to retire.

The municipality’s public works superintendent, Thomas A. Knights, will succeed Kirkwood. Knights has served a little more than four years with the township. He was appointed by a 5-0 vote of supervisors who are comfortable with his management style, which presumably is consistent with their own and with Kirkwood’s.

Ten years ago, when Patterson retired and Kirkwood succeeded him, board chairman Joe Hasychak said, “We are the only first-class township in Butler County, and Jerry has worked hard to make sure we stay a first-class township.”

That statement holds true today. Cranberry, for all its growth, remains a second-class township and Butler Township stands alone, subject to its own code, regulations and privileges.

Kirkwood, carrying on Patterson’s legacy, provided sound management that made Butler Township and its supervisors better. It can only be hoped and anticipated that Knights will carry on the tradition. It’s no small feat, and one that’s not to be taken for granted.

That said, thanks to Ed Kirkwood for a job well done. Best wishes and congratulations to Tom Knights as he takes the helm.