SOUTH FORK — After spending just over a year and a half as South Fork Police Chief, Hank Weber has stepped into his new position as the South Fork Town Administrator and is looking forward to seeing what the community wants to do in the future.

“I think this is a very exciting time for South Fork and I am very excited to be in city government now,” said Weber.

For the past two weeks, Weber has spent considerable time thinking about how he wants to proceed as the new administrator and wants to continue to learn about the community of South Fork and the direction it wants to go.

“I want to look to some of our local organizations and talk with them about what they would like to see and continue to learn from the community about what direction they want the town to go as we continue to grow. It is not about just me and my ideas but about the community and our ideas together,” Weber said.

Weber is planning on working with organizations like the South Fork Chamber of Commerce, Friends of South Fork, and others to gain perspective.

“It's like having arrows for a dartboard," he said. "I can hit a bullseye every time. I just need to know where to throw the arrows. I think our priority, to begin with, is gain direction, no matter which direction that may be and take the steps to get there. We are in a very unique position here in South Fork at the moment and I think, though it can be a little nerve-racking, it is a great place to start fresh.”

In recent weeks, previous Town Administrator Dan Hicks, South Fork Mayor Rodney Reed and South Fork Visitor Center Director Mark Teders all retired from their positions.

“We were sad to see everyone go even though we knew that it was time and all we can do is use this change as an opportunity to set our sights to the future and what we as a community want to do with it,” Weber said. “We want to begin with promoting core values and learn to develop our new perspective while we adjust as we go. It really is an exciting time to be here, and we can do whatever we want honestly.”

Weber also mentioned the huge amount of economic growth that is currently taking place with new businesses opening their doors, old businesses like the Rainbow Grocery and gas station changing hands after over 30 years and the new water system that is now almost 80% complete.

“We have something special happening here and it’s just wonderful,” he said.

Public meetings and the administration side of his duties will remain, for now, the same as it has been in the past. South Fork Town Board meetings are at 6 p.m. at the South Fork Carnegie Library conference room every fourth Tuesday of the month and offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.