Lincoln Township has found its first township manager.

The Lincoln Township Board of Trustees met this past week and voted to hire Ralph Bansen to serve in the role, effective October 1. Bansen is a lieutenant with the township police department. Lincoln Township Supervisor Dick Stauffer tells us Bansen’s been around for a while.

“He’s been there for six years as a lieutenant,” Stauffer said. “He started in the police department about 35 years ago and worked himself all the way up to a lieutenant over that period of time. He’s been a resident of Berrien County for over 35 years, having gone to high school here.”

Among other things, Bansen serves as a code enforcement officer, so Stauffer says he knows the community quite well. The Lakeshore grad also has experience with grant writing and human resources.

Bansen will take over day to day functions at the township office once Stauffer steps down in November after 20 years at the helm. Stauffer tells us he’s seen plenty happen in his two decades.

“If I were to go through my accomplishments, I think the residents would be satisfied. I’ve been able to get several million dollars in grants for sidewalk projects. So, I look back and I think I did a pretty good job.”

Stauffer will work with Bansen to show him the ropes when he comes on board in October. Bansen will also work alongside the township clerk and treasurer to learn their functions as he will be partly responsible for those duties.

The Lincoln Township Board of Trustees moved this year to change the structure of local government, replacing the elected supervisor with the new hired manager. Trustees told us as the community grows, it would better serve residents to have a professional manager on board.