Westport Public Works Director To Retire

From The Town of Westport: First Selectman Jim Marpe announced today that he has accepted the retirement letter of Director of Public Works Stephen Edwards, effective December 31, 2017.

First Selectman Marpe said, “It is with regret that I accept Steve’s retirement letter. The Town of Westport and its residents have been extremely fortunate to be the beneficiaries of Steve’s expertise and historical knowledge for over 31 years. On his watch, the Town has maintained and improved its infrastructure, roadways, engineering capabilities, equipment, coordination with public utilities, and managed and organized numerous emergency response efforts for major storms that have had an impact on our community. Steve has run his department with the utmost care and precision. He has been willing to work to resolve a problem with ease, consideration, humor and thoughtful recognition of any budgetary constraints, always with the benefit of the Town in mind. Public safety and the best interests of his employees and the citizens of Westport have been Steve’s first priorities.”

Mr. Edwards stated, “I would like to thank the Town of Westport for the opportunities provided to me over the past 32 years, the most important of which was the opportunity to work alongside a group of dedicated, hardworking fellow employees and volunteers that made the trip enjoyable and productive. I would like to think that I am leaving Westport in better shape than how I found it but, like most opinions in this Town, that can be debated late into the night. I will miss the camaraderie and laughs, but look forward to starting the next chapter of my life.”

Mr. Marpe expressed his gratitude to Mr. Edwards, stating, “On behalf of the citizens of Westport, his fellow employees, and his colleagues, I am grateful for Steve’s longstanding, exemplary and dedicated service. On a personal level, Steve has provided me with unwavering support, advice and explanations on detailed engineering processes and procedures. I am thankful that his positive demeanor, and unprecedented professional knowledge and skill were available 24/7, at times in trying conditions. I wish him all the best as he enters this new chapter in his life. He will be truly missed.”

Mr. Marpe continued, “Because of Steve’s training, professionalism and positive rapport with his employees, I am very confident that the Westport Public Works Department will remain in capable hands. To that end, I am pleased to announce that Town Engineer Peter Ratkiewich will be promoted to Director of Public Works upon Steve’s retirement. Peter has the proven ability, breadth of knowledge, skill and understanding to seamlessly transition and effectively manage the Public Works Department.”

Peter Ratkiewich has been a Westport employee since 1989. He was hired as the Deputy Town Engineer and took over the responsibilities as Town Engineer in October, 2008. In his current capacity, Peter supervises the Engineering Department, oversees the administration of designs and design contracts and consultant activities concerning municipal infrastructure improvements, including but not limited to: sanitary sewers; storm drains; municipal refuse and recycling facilities; highway maintenance; parking lots, roadway and intersection improvements. A graduate of Northeastern University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, Mr. Ratkiewich is a Registered Professional Engineer in Connecticut and Maine, is registered with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

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