Nesquehoning officials thanked their police chief for helping to grow the force after they regretfully accepted his resignation.

On Wednesday, council officially accepted Chief Michael Weaver’s resignation, effective Nov. 15.

Weaver thanked council for having the confidence in him to lead the department since Aug. 1, 2022, and said his decision to take another position outside the area did not come lightly.

“For the last few months I have been stressing myself out,” he said. “Ultimately, after a lot of considerations, I accepted another position elsewhere that requires me to relocate. After looking at everything, not only for myself, but for my family, it was the better choice for me.

“I want to thank all past and present council members, fire departments, borough workers, the citizens, the media. If it wasn’t for you guys believing me from day one, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity I have in front of me. ... This has been the best three years of my life, coming here and coming back home and being able to do these things. I’m thankful for it.”

Weaver was hired by Nesquehoning as a full-time police officer in March 2022 and was promoted to chief a few months later.

Prior to working in Nesquehoning, he also had served as a police officer in Tamaqua, Schuylkill Haven and Rush Township.

Mayor Tom Kattner said jokingly that if it was up to him, Weaver’s resignation would not have been approved and wished him well on his new endeavor.

Council members all thanked Weaver for his dedication to his hometown through his leadership and for building community support for the department.

Following the vote, council then voted to offer the position of police chief to Nesquehoning Officer Brad Hess contingent upon the Civil Service testing and contract negotiations.