Lower Merion Township Manager Douglas Cleland announced his plans to retire on Jan. 31, 2014, after nearly 29 years of service to the township.

Cleland has held the top administrative post in Lower Merion since 2002, and served previously as finance director and assistant township manager. The current two-year employment contract for Cleland, who is 61, will expire on Jan. 6, 2014. Cleland will finish the month because he “wanted to give the board the maximum time to find a replacement.”