There shall be a Department of Public Works responsible for
the performance of all public works related functions and activities
of the Town. The Department of Public Works shall assume all of the
duties and responsibilities related to public works activities which,
before the adoption of the Charter, were performed by or under the
authority of the Department of Public Works. The Department of Public
Works shall perform all of the public works related functions which
are associated with the following boards, departments and offices
or which are now or may from time to time by general or special law
be vested in such boards, departments and offices: Engineering Department,
Highway Department, Cemetery Department, Water and Sewer Department,
Tree Warden, and the Recycling Committee, and it may have such additional
powers, duties and responsibilities with respect to public works related
functions and activities as may from time to time be provided by ordinance.
The Mayor is authorized and empowered to appoint a Director
of the Department of Public Works. The Director of Public Works shall
be a person especially fitted by education, experience and training
to perform the duties of the office.
The Director of Public Works shall be appointed for an indefinite
term.
The Department of Public Works shall be under the direct control
and supervision of a Director of Public Works who shall be appointed
by and who shall be responsible to the Mayor. In addition to the powers
and duties conferred upon the Director of Public Works pursuant to
the Charter, the Director of Public Works shall be responsible for
the following duties:
A. Supervision and coordination of all activities of the Department
of Public Works under statutes, Town ordinances, administrative code
and rules and regulations;
B. Granting or revoking any permits and licenses pertinent to public
works activities, unless such authority is otherwise reserved for
the Department of Public Works Advisory Board;
C. Supervises, plans, directs, and administers all aspects of the Department
of Public Works, including the highway, grounds, cemetery, water,
sewer, engineering, and recreation divisions, as well as solid waste
collection and disposal and the municipal golf course;
D. Develops and recommends departmental policies, projects, and procedures;
confers with division heads concerning ongoing and future projects;
E. Oversees management of department personnel, labor relations, training,
staffing, and evaluation of employees;
F. Responsible for and monitors department expenditures, including payroll,
procurement of goods and services, and contracts for outside services;
G. Makes recommendations to and advises Mayor of all short-term and
long-term planning of department goals and projects;
H. Responsible for maintaining department records and correspondence
in compliance with the public records statutes.
The Director of Public Works shall oversee the sale of lots
in the cemetery, which shall be sold at prices to be fixed from time
to time by the Mayor. Deeds conveying the right of burial in any public
cemetery in the Town shall be filed with the Town Clerk as provided
in Section 50 of Chapter 550 of the Acts of 1948.
[Added 12-7-2021 by Order
No. 21-027]
The Department of Public Works, under the direction of the Director, shall include a Centralized Maintenance Department, combining facilities staff, for the purpose of maintaining all buildings and land owned by the Town including school buildings and grounds. The Centralized Maintenance Department is hereby established as authorized by Section
4-5.3 of the Town Charter and the adoption of MGL c. 71, § 37M, by the Town Council. This section shall take effect only after a majority vote in favor thereof, pursuant to MGL c. 71, § 37M, by the School Committee. The consolidation of the maintenance departments may be revoked, pursuant to MGL c. 71, § 37M, by majority of vote of the School Committee or Town Council, or both.