Enfield Public Works Director Resigns

Enfield Director of Public Works Piya Hawkes resigned Friday after just over four years on the job.

Hawkes submitted a brief three-sentence letter to Town Manager Matt Coppler Friday morning, which reads:

 "This letter is to inform you that I officially tender my resignation from the Town of Enfield effective January 27, 2012. I want to sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you and the Town of Enfield as the Director of Public Works. It was my pleasure working with you."

"The last four years has been kind of a tumultuous period for the town of Enfield," Coppler said. "There's been a lot of changes, especially within the Public Works Department, where we downsized considerably in the staff and supervisory positions. I think Piya did a very good job trying to keep the department together and moving forward."

Hawkes began his job in Enfield on Oct. 2, 2007, after working 15 years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation as a senior project engineer. He was earning a salary of $101,926 at the time of his resignation, according to Enfield Director of Human Resources Steve Bielenda.

"He's been considering (resigning) for the past few months, so it's not a surprise for us," Bielenda said. "Soon we will start marketing a search for a new public works director. We wish Piya nothing but success in his future endeavors."

Bielenda said Hawkes' resignation is effective Jan. 27, but he will be using his accrued vacation time until that date. "He resigned in good standing because he gave us two weeks' notice," Bielenda said.

Deputy Public Works Director Bill Taylor will serve as acting director until a permanent replacement for Hawkes is hired, Bielenda said.

"We're very fortunate we have someone the caliber of Bill Taylor to assume the interim role, somebody with a lot of experience as a director of public works coming from East Hartford," Coppler said. "That will help make the transition period a lot less tumultuous time for us."