The Farmville Town Council held an Emergency Called closed session today and took action following the meeting on the retirement of Town Manager Gerald Spates.

In a Press Release, this evening, from the Town Council it was stated that Spates submitted his retirement letter effective immediately, Aug. 26.

Town Council voted unanimously to approve his retirement request.

In March, Spates celebrated 44 years with the Town of Farmville, 41 of those years he served as Town Manager.

“He was the youngest Town Manager when appointed in his 20’s and now the longest-serving in the Commonwealth,” the release cited. “Farmville grew exponentially through those years with progress on all fronts, and Mr. Spates led the Town through all of these endeavors with several Mayors and multiple Council Members.”

The Town Council has appointed Assistant Town Manager Scott Davis as the Interim Town Manager.

According to the release the Town Council will discuss the process that it will utilize to select the Town of Farmville’s next Town Manager in the near future.

This is a developing story. Stay with The Farmville Herald for more updates.