SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Board of Selectmen will conduct a second round of interviews Monday for the Department of Public Works (DPW) director position.
Late last month the board interviewed seven candidates for the position, which has been vacant since former director Jeffrey Neece left the job last May. Four candidates were invited for second interviews.
The candidates are Stephen D. Been, an assistant deputy of operations with the Springfield DPW, Randal Brown, an engineer and water systems expert for Tighe & Bond, Timothy Durand, a manager of three plants for Lane Construction, and Michael G. Suprenant, a former DPW director.
All the men were asked the same set of 12 questions by the board in separate interviews, all of which were in open session.
They were asked about their background, management experience, strengths, use of technology, ability to manage five different budgets, management of large work crews, training experience, thoughts on DPW improvement, how to handle a winter storm within a budget, how to deal with personalities and egos, how to deal with a disgruntled employee, and where they see themselves in 10 years. They could then ask questions and offer a closing statement.
Been, who has worked for he City of Springfield in progressively more responsible positions for 30 years, told the board he had a “good understanding of how to run the department on a daily basis.” He also said he is a person who likes to take a project to completion.
“I enjoy seeing things get done,” he said.
Been also said because he started at the bottom in the DPW, he has done nearly every job, making him a good candidate for the position because he understands what is expected of the staff.
Brown is a Southwick native who said he has been hoping for this opportunity.
“I’ve had my eye on this for a while,” he said.
The 1996 graduate of Southwick-Tolland Regional High School continued his education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and holds a degree in civil engineering. After working in the eastern part of the state, Brown and his wife moved back to Southwick to start their family and he took a position at Tighe & Bond where he said he is known as the water expert.
Brown said his management experience includes being a project manager on numerous large projects for municipalities, where he had to stay on budget.
Brown told the board he sees the DPW director as wearing three hats, including those of an engineer and supervisor.
Using technology is something Brown said is crucial to the job. From GIS to SCADA and smart meters, Brown said technology can advance DPW operations and make them more efficient.
Brown said as far as DPW improvements are concerned, infrastructure is key and he would like to make sure there is a solid capital plan and identify priority projects.
While Brown has no experience with managing winter storm cleanup, he said he believes knowing who you’re working with is the first step in managing a storm well.
“You need to be in close communication and I would have a pre-winter meeting and let everyone know the process,” he said, noting that communication would be important in dealing with personalities and disgruntled employees, as well.
Brown said in 10 years he sees himself as the Southwick DPW director.
“I’m for this town and I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I see myself in this position for a long time.”
Brown told the board he did not have “baggage or any hidden agendas” and truly wants to serve Southwick.
“I would do what’s best for the town and would like to be part of some big decisions to move this town forward,” said Brown.
Durand is also a resident, raising his family in Southwick and said he would like the opportunity to bring his experience to the town.
Durand has moved through the ranks at Lane Construction and now works out of the Berkshires managing three asphalt plants and the crews associated with that work.
“I’ve done a lot of the work you’re looking for,” Durand said, noting projects in infrastructure.
He said working with budgets is “a huge part” of his job and he manages budgets for all three plants. Durand said working with large crews is part of his job and he has several crews working on different projects every day.
Durand said although he has been working in the Berkshires for several years, his recollection of the Southwick DPW as it relates to improvements centers around the different departments within the DPW umbrella.
“There needed to be more intermingling between the departments,” he said.
When asked about preparing for storms, Durand’s first response was that it would depend what day of the week it was because it could involve dealing with the schools and the safety of children, which would be a priority.
“I would drive the streets around town to see how the roads are,” he said, adding he would work with the town and school department together to tackle a storm.
Durand said dealing with various personalities and egos is “the toughest part” of management and that listening to employee concerns would be his first step in handling any situation.
Durand told the board he is looking for a new challenge and would like to use his knowledge to benefit Southwick.
Suprenant is a former town engineer and DPW director who said he is looking to utilize his skills for the benefit of the town until his retirement.
“I began my career in Agawam and I’d like to finish it in Southwick,” he said.
Suprenant has worked in central Massachusetts much of his career and wants to return to his roots and be near family and friends.
He said his management experience in public works has covered all departments and he has numerous strengths, including a background in engineering and management, experience in successful grant writing, and strength in the water and highway departments. He also noted that in a previous position he oversaw the state’s largest fresh water beach.
Suprenant said he has worked with crews of more than 30 people and is a hands-on manager.
“I have gotten behind the wheel of a plow and plowed snow in the middle of the night when I had to,” he said.
He also said public safety was his main concern in dealing with a snow storm. Said he would examine how the town currently manages a storm to find possible cost savings, especially in the area of pre-treatment.
When dealing with egos and personalities and disgruntled employees, Suprenant said he would keep it professional.
“My job is not to solve social problems,” he said. “My job is to make sure they work hard and come back the next day.”
The interviews will begin at 6 p.m. in the selectmen’s room at Town Hall.
