RANDAL BROWN
SOUTHWICK – Randal D. Brown was selected the new Southwick Department of Public Works director last night.
Brown was selected following a second round of interviews with the Board of Selectmen yesterday. The board invited four finalists back for second interviews and asked the same nine questions of each candidate in separate sessions.
Brown, a Southwick native, stood out among the candidates.
Brown is a civil engineer employed with Tighe & Bond and is considered an expert when it comes to water systems.
Last night Brown was asked what set him apart from the other three candidates. While he said he did not know the other finalists personally, he touted his credentials.
“First of all, I’m from town,” Brown said. “I’m also a civil engineer, which gives me a great advantage in knowing how systems are designed, built and run.”
Brown was asked how he would handle a citizen complaint and said he would thank them for bringing their concerns to him and explain that the department has a set of resources and issues are prioritized within those resources. If the resident’s issue was one of the priorities, Brown said he would identify it on the capital plan and offer the resident an expected timeline when the department would address that particular concern.
Brown said he has high expectations for himself and would expect the same of DPW employees.
“I would hope they would be looking to further themselves and move up the ladder and I’d hope to give them the support and resources they need,” said Brown.
Brown said he had no concerns with speaking at hearings and at Town Meetings and said he would do his best to prepare for any questions that could arise.
“You need to know every step along the way and make sure I look at it from every angle,” said Brown.
Also interviewed for the second time last night were candidates Stephen Beem, Timothy Durand, and Michael Suprenant.
