“I discovered we had a gem here in Albion… great staff, stable council, and a community going through a renaissance. It’s been a wonderful experience since November for me,” Terry said last spring.

Over the past year, Terry has overseen major water system upgrades, construction of a new elevated water tower, lead service replacements and extensive road reconstruction projects funded in part by state and federal dollars. Downtown redevelopment discussions, Brownfield amendments, and housing proposals have also advanced during his tenure.

In his most recent report, Terry invited Director of Public Services Jason Kern to provide an update on current operations. Kern noted that crews are using cold patch to temporarily address potholes — a method he acknowledged is not his preferred long-term solution — until asphalt plants reopen for permanent repairs.

He also explained that the city’s leaf collection machine suffered internal damage after apparently ingesting a hard object, requiring significant repairs and a several-week delay while crews continue collection using alternative equipment. Kern also asked residents for patience while crews work through the equipment repair and continue leaf pickup using alternative methods. He noted that keeping leaf piles free of heavy debris or construction materials helps prevent damage to the equipment and allows collection to move more efficiently.

Sheryl Theriot is scheduled to begin her role as Albion’s next city manager on March 16 under a three-year employment agreement. Her contract includes structured salary increases and a Paid Time Off schedule that begins at 240 hours upon commencement and increases to 320 hours annually. Terry said there will be a period of overlap to allow Theriot time to become familiar with ongoing construction projects, staff operations and pending development initiatives. He also told council he would remain available in the future if the city ever needed assistance again — a comment that drew appreciation from members around the table.

With multiple large-scale projects underway and redevelopment efforts gaining traction, Albion’s leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment. The groundwork laid over the past year — from infrastructure coordination to fiscal management — now moves into its next phase.

For Terry, the interim assignment became more than temporary stewardship. With personal ties to Albion and a visible presence at community events, he leaves behind not just completed reports, but a city positioned to continue building moment