SAXONBURG — The borough and the Saxonburg Area Authority need to replace a man who fills many roles.

Tom Knights, 44, borough superintendent and authority director of operations, is leaving to become the superintendent of public works for Butler Township.

Knights, a township resident, also is the borough’s zoning officer, code enforcement officer and sewage enforcement officer.

Both the authority and the borough have an interim plan ready when Knights departs April 4.

On the borough’s side, some of Knights’ duties, such as sewage and code enforcement, will be farmed out to contractors.

Borough manager Mary Papik will be the temporary zoning officer.

Authority director of development Chuck McGee will assume some of Knights’ tasks, including supervising the five-person crew the authority and borough share.

Authority manager Paul Cornetti will take on some of McGee’s work.

Cornetti said the post should be filled by the end of May.

He praised Knights’ efforts over the past 7½ years.

“I’m excited for the opportunities Tom has in front of him,” Cornetti said. “I wish him best of luck. He’ll be hard to replace.”

Papik, who also is the authority’s controller, agreed.

“He has been a great asset to the borough and the authority,” she said. “No doubt.”

Knights said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity offered by the township. He will supervise a 12-man crew, handling township roads, grounds and maintenance.

Knights said he leaves Saxonburg on good terms.

“I was always treated well here,” he said.

Knights’ total salary for his authority and borough posts is $55,000 annually.