Kennett Township has a new township manager.
Alison S. Dobbins, 44, officially begins April 22. Her new responsibilities will also include acting as township secretary and right-to-know officer.
She was introduced and formally voted in at the April 17 supervisors’ meeting and told those in attendance that she deeply believes in municipalities’ impact on the community.
“I believe work at the municipal level is most impactful,” the Delaware County resident said. “I take that responsibility seriously.”
She added that she is committed to the area “and very excited to work at Kennett.”
Dobbins replaces Eden Ratliff, who left Kennett in February to become the deputy city manager for Charlottesville, Va. Kennett Township Finance Manager and HR director Amy Heinrich served as the acting township manager in his absence.
Supervisors’ Vice Chairman Richard Leff said the township received “well over 70 applications,” including from “well over 40 qualified individuals” in the first month of the search.
“Welcome, Alison, to our little Kennett family,” Supervisor Pat Muller said. “We’ve got a lot of opportunities and challenges.”
“We feel lucky to have her on our team,” Supervisors’ Chairman Geoffrey Gamble said in a press release. “Alison has a broad base of skills and experience perfectly aligned to help us through the opportunities and challenges facing Kennett Township now and in the future.”
Dobbins had worked for Upper Darby Township in Delaware County since 2020, first as the deputy chief administrative officer and then, since January 2023, as the acting chief administrative officer. She also had positions with the state legislature and with Drexel University.
According to the press release, she is currently working toward a master’s degree in business administration from Eastern University and also an International City County Managers Association accreditation. Her skills include “financial management, grant management, parks and recreation, as well as emergency management and public safety. She is experienced in contract and union negotiations and helped to navigate Upper Darby’s public services through the recent COVID emergency crisis.”
At the meeting, Dobbins shared the story of how her father asked what she would be doing as the Kennett Township manager. When she explained, “He said it’s perfect for you, because you love history, the outdoors, and helping people.”
The new township manager said she plans to spend her first 30 days listening to residents, township staff, and supervisors, among others.
“Our success as a team depends on all of our individual successes,” Dobbins said, thanking Heinrich “and all that she and her team have done to prepare for our arrival.”
The supervisors also praised Heinrich for her work as acting manager.
“You’ve had your plate full and it’s greatly appreciated,” Muller said.
In her last report as interim manager, Heinrich thanked everyone for their support.
“Thank you to the board of supervisors for the opportunity to serve Kennett Township in this capacity,” she said. “Thank you to the Kennett Township employees who have supported me in this role and helped us through the transition. I’ve already had the opportunity to spend some time with the new township manager. I expect to truly enjoy working with them and know the township is in good hands with this person and the excellent team of professionals at Kennett Township.”
About Monica Fragale
Monica Thompson Fragale is a freelance reporter who spent her life dreaming of being in the newspaper business. That dream came true after college when she started working at The Kennett Paper and, years later The Reporter newspaper in Lansdale and other dailies. She turned to non-profit work after her first daughter was born and spent the next 13 years in that field. But while you can take the girl out of journalism, you can’t take journalism out of the girl. Offers to freelance sparked the writing bug again started her fingers happily tapping away on the keyboard. Monica lives with her husband and two children in Kennett Square.
