Date: Fri 31-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

public-works-CCM-study-Hurley

Full Text:

Study Of Local Public Works Gives Department Low Marks

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

A report on the current status of the town's Public Works Department is

complete and the conclusions of the report are not very complimentary.

The study, conducted by Robert Weiss of the Connecticut Conference of

Municipalities (CCM), indicated that major improvements are needed within the

agency, which last year had a budget of nearly $4 million.

According to the findings, the shortcomings of the 37-member department are a

result of lack of vision, over-burdening and uncontrolled expansion of

functions, resulting in few objectives being reached. The report also

indicated that virtually all public works services "fail to be done in a

cost-effective, professional manner."

The findings clearly called the agency's entire management process into

question. At the same time, the report blamed part of the problem on a lack of

manpower and trucks for an ever-growing community. In Newtown, according to

the report, the demands far outweigh the resources.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal hired Mr Weiss for the $13,000 study soon after

taking office less than a year ago. Not unlike his father, Jack Rosenthal, a

former first selectman, Herb Rosenthal focused much of his attention on the

Public Works Department early on. He and selectman Joe Bojnowski heard

numerous complaints from residents about road conditions during their campaign

a year ago. With the study complete, the selectmen hope the improvement

process can begin.

"The report says what it says. I believe it indicates that there are some

improvements needed to be made," Mr Rosenthal said.

The good news, Mr Rosenthal pointed out, was that there are good people

working down at the town garage, so the "nucleus" for improvement is there.

Nevertheless, the first selectman said it is hard to ignore the fact that Fred

Hurley has been in charge of the department for nine years. On the other hand,

Mr Rosenthal pointed out, Mr Hurley has a boss, too -- the first selectman,

and the Public Works Department has its budget cut on a regular basis. In some

respects, town officials say, the blame needs to be placed more on the system.

"I'm not looking to blame any one person, and I will always give people an

opportunity to improve," Mr Rosenthal said. "Clearly though, if I don't see

progress, then we'll have to take some other action."

The first selectman has left the job of improving the department up to the

Public Works Department itself.

Public Works Director Fred Hurley was out this week and unavailable for

comment. He is expected to respond to the report in next week's edition of The

Bee.

After several months of review, Mr Weiss said the issues facing the department

"go far beyond the confines of daily operations." The report said basic

professional standards are lacking. For example, the study found that most

workers are not aware of what others within the department are doing.

"To make matters worse, there does not appear to be a desire to learn and

understand. Each function operates in its own world," the report said.

The report suggested the agency be rebuilt from the ground up prior to

addressing specific issues facing it. It also stated that the key elements for

improvements are in place, pointing to a motivated, frustrated staff looking

to better serve the community.

"However, they fail to succeed due to the lack of a solid foundation,

direction, accountability and recognition of achievements," the report stated.

The report also pointed out that Newtown's troubled public works department is

not unlike many others in the state. Being highly visible, the agency tends to

be more susceptible to criticism.

A similar public works study was conducted by the town back in 1989 that

identified numerous deficiencies and provided a number of solutions in an

attempt to bring the operation up to acceptable standards. However, according

to the CCM evaluator, the study failed to provide the "guidance, motivation

and corrective action" needed to bring the department up to the desired level.

The report went on to make numerous suggestions on how the department could

improve, including:

an updated list of goals and objectives;

ideas for more effective road repairs;

better understanding of public expectations;

more manpower and equipment;

revised purchasing process;

higher professional standards;

revamped training methods;

hiring an assistant town engineer to assist with road design.

One suggestion that has grabbed the attention of the selectmen is for the

department to steer away from the total reconstruction of roads. Instead, the

report suggested doing more resurfacing of roads, which would be more

cost-effective and less time-consuming, the report said.

The Public Works Department includes highway, repair garage, solid waste and

building maintenance.