By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Ronald LaFreniere, commissioner of the Department of Public Works (DPW), has resigned from the position he has held for nearly 15 years.? Mayor Arthur Vigeant has accepted the resignation and has appointed John Ghiloni, the director of public facilities, to succeed LaFreniere.
In a communication to the City Council at its Feb. 10 meeting, Vigeant said:? “Mr. Ghiloni has been employed by the city of Marlborough since January 1991 and has served as our director of public facilities since December 1993.? In this capacity, Mr. Ghiloni has been an exemplary manager capable of handling a diverse scope of projects, including two school projects, without sacrificing his attention to detail or responsiveness.? In short, he is my “go-to-guy.””
Many of Ghiloni's current responsibilities are similar to the ones he will be assuming, including overseeing the construction and ongoing maintenance of all municipal and school buildings, directing city-wide capital projects and? managing a staff of nearly 50 laborers, craftsmen and office employees, the mayor stated.
“I have full confidence that his ability to listen, provide thoughtful advice when necessary, and the ability to delegate fairly and effectively will characterize John's tenure and enhance the ability of those around him,” Vigeant added.
LaFreniere joined the DPW as a junior civil engineer after graduating from college and continued to grow in that position, eventually being promoted in 1970 to city engineer.? He held that job for 20 years before assuming the DPW commissioner role.
Highlights of his career with the city include work on the Solomon Pond Mall project and I-495 interchange,? the construction of Ghiloni Park, upgrades of two wastewater treatment plants and the reconstruction of Ames Street and Reservoir Street.
The Council voted to refer Ghiloni's recommendation to the Personnel Committee for study.
In other business, lawmakers referred the mayor's reappointment of Lisa Thomas as City Clerk to the Personnel Committee. In presenting his recommendation Vigeant stated that Thomas was hired to improve operations in the office of the city clerk.
“The electronic conversion of the files has made records quickly and easily retrievable by city employees,” he said.
Vigeant also praised her efforts in establishing the website for public access of City Council agendas, minutes, and election materials.
Due to the efforts of Thomas, “Information is just a click away,” he stated.
In his communication to the Council, Vigeant said he is considering the possibility of placing the Public Facilities Department as a division within the DPW.?? “This structure is commonplace in many communities and has the potential to streamline the city's organization and provide a measure of cost savings,” he said.