Town's Wishlist Includes Someone to Oversee DPW Finances

One of the things on top of the town official's Christmas list this year is someone to oversee the Department of Public Works budget.

This week, the Personnel and Town Organization Committee looked at openings in the town government as part of a possible reorganization of Town Hall. The town councilors on the committee – John Lawn, Susan Falkoff and John Donohue – paid particular attention to public works.

The DPW has not had someone to oversee the department budget since Deputy Superintendent Sue Tamber left this fall, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll.

It is critical to have someone in place to plan for next year's budget, since DPW accounts for $22 million of the town budget of about $100 million.

"We can't go into the new budget time without financial support," Driscoll said. The budget process really gets rolling in Feburary.

The department has an opening for the deputy superintendent, as well as the town engineer.

While the engineer position remains open, committee members said they believe the town may not need one license by the state on staff.

"All the major projects are done by outside contractors," Corbett said.

An alternative to having the deputy superintendent focus on operations could be to have the person take on the financial side of the department.

The position could begin as a temporary one, Driscoll said.

"The whole thing with temporary becoming permanent is it puts a carrot out there," Driscoll said.

Driscoll said he would speak with DPW Superintendent Gerald Mee about what to do with the deputy position. The next subcommittee meeting will be on Jan. 12.