T O W N O F M IL T O N

Personnel – Strength within the department continues to be attributed to theskill, knowledge, and dedication of its labor force. There were two retirementsfrom the DPW during FY11. After an illustrious 40-year career in the DPW,Walter “Buddy” McDermott Retired in September of 2010. Buddy’s service tothe Town likely involved every single aspect of DPW work from roadway constructionto water and sewer work, and his expertise in the Central MaintenanceGarage. Buddy was the head mechanic since 1979, thirty-two years, and was responsiblefor the maintenance of all of the Town’s fleet including police, fire,DPW, and others. Fred Reader retired in August of 2010 after a 12 year careeras a draftsman in the Engineering Department. Fred’s attention to detail andservice in providing record information to property owners, surveyors, engineers,and utility companies was invaluable. Fred was usually the first personat the front desk to offer assistance. His cheery assistance is sorely missed.Here’s to wishing Buddy and Fred a long, healthy, and pleasant retirement withtheir wives and families; MUCH DESERVED!There were three positions which had remained vacant and “frozen” as a resultof long-term illness and injury. Management used a balance of compassionand diligence in resolving these cases. The end result is that all threeemployees reached a negotiated disability settlement with the town and the positionswere opened up to recruitment to be once again filled with able-bodiedworkers.FY11 saw opportunity for promotions of five current DPW employees andthe hiring of three new employees. FY11 promotions included two employeesfrom W4 to W5, one employee from W5 to W6, and two employees from W6– W7. With no eligible candidates presenting themselves from within the currentemployee ranks the DPW hired two new W-3 employees and one new W7employee.THE CHALLENGES AHEAD - The Department of Public Works hasbeen downsized through attrition since 1973. Three years ago the DPW againsaw attrition of its workforce ranks with the elimination of key service positions.The Department eliminated a full time secretary and the program manager andconsolidated the Conservation and DPW Administrative Assistants’ positionsinto one. Though these changes have not drastically affected the service levelsof operations undertaken “on the street”, they truly have affected the overallservice that the Department is expected to deliver to its citizenry. Eliminationof the Program Manager’s position alone has affected the town’s ability to effectivelykeep the public well-informed regarding recycling programs, constructionprojects, and the pursuit of grant opportunities. Elimination of theDPW Secretary and consolidation of the Conservation and DPW AdministrativeAssistance has been met with filing backlogs, lapses in telephone and of-150