Middletown City Manager Paul Lolli abruptly retires after hour-long city council meeting

Middletown City Council accepted the abrupt retirement of its city manager Tuesday night.

After a lengthy executive session discussing personnel matters, the council voted 4-0 to accept the retirement of Paul Lolli, who was hired as the Middletown city manager two years ago to the month. Lolli’s effective retirement date will be July 31.

Lolli did not offer any comment after the meeting and promptly exited the building.

Council members after the executive session added the Lolli retirement to the agenda and conducted the vote, all without comment.

In a statement issued by the city of Middletown on Wednesday, Lolli said: “As much as I have enjoyed serving the city of Middletown and its residents, it is time for me to move on to a new chapter.”

Lolli led the city as it progressed in its revitalization efforts, including overseeing major projects such as the Cliffs Hydrogen Ready Direct Reduced Iron Plant, park improvements, the Renaissance Pointe project, the Paperboard Remediation Project, the Home Improvement Repair Program, focused efforts on code enforcement, a new levy and the purchase of the Central Connections building.

The Journal-News has requested any retirement or severance package information for Lolli, but did not receive that information prior to deadline.

Assistant City Manager Nathan Cahall will be the interim city manager while Middletown council launches a nationwide search for a replacement for Lolli.

Credit: Nick Graham

Lolli had served as interim city manager for four months in early 2022 prior to being named in the permanent job in July 2022. Before leading the Middletown city administration, he served with the city of Middletown Division of Fire for 33 years, the last seven as its fire chief.

Lolli was the third permanent city manager in as many years when hired to the post in 2022. Cahall will be the fifth city manager, either interim or permanent, in the past seven years.

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About the Author

Michael D. Pitman

Michael D. Pitman has been a reporter in southwest Ohio since 1999. He's covered local governments in Warren and Butler counties, as well as state and national issues. He currently covers the cities of Fairfield and Hamilton.