Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Shrewsbury – The town of Shrewsbury is making organizational changes to improve operations and services to residents. In a press release from Town Manager Kevin Mizikar’s office, it was announced that after several months of analysis and planning, a preliminary reorganization plan that established six new position titles was presented to and approved by the Town Meeting in May. These six new position titles replaced other titles in use lessening the budgetary impact while enabling redefined responsibilities mainly within the Highway, Public Buildings, Parks and Recreation and Engineering Departments.
The Board of Selectmen heard a presentation from Mizikar at its June 26, 2018 meeting and approved the creation of a Department of Public Works (DPW). The creation of the DPW will consolidate the operation of the current Highway, Water and Sewer, Engineering, Public Buildings, Parks and Recreation and Cemetery departments into a single department under the direction of a DPW Director.
Moving swiftly after approval from the Board of Selectmen, Assistant Town Manager
Kristen Las was promoted and, in addition to providing continued leadership and support for overall operation of the town, she will be responsible for all Land Use operations (Planning,
Building Inspections, Zoning and Economic Development) and Community and Human Services functions (Veterans Services, Council on Aging and Public Health).
Town Engineer Jeffery Howland was promoted to the position of Department of Public Works Director. Howland will be the first to serve in this role for the town and will be responsible for all aspects of the newly created departments.
Nick Repekta was promoted to the position of Highway Division Manager and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the division including roadway and drainage improvements and maintenance and snow and ice operations. Repekta fills the role formerly held by John Knipe, Jr. who retired from the town Aug. 3 after 46 years of service.
Additionally, David Snowdon III was promoted to the new position of Management Analyst
within the Office of the Town Manager. Snowdon will serve as the town’s lead financial and
budget analyst supporting the operation of all Town departments.
“First and foremost these promotions help us move towards a new model of operating the Town and serving the residents of Shrewsbury,” Mizikar said. “Being able to retain Kristen Las, Jeff Howland, Nick Repekta and David Snowdon while allowing them to take on larger roles with the town is a win-win. Their continued leadership will help ensure the town of Shrewsbury remains one of the most desirable communities in the entire commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
These changes are the first in a multi-phase reorganization that will modernize the town of Shrewsbury by moving away from department-based operations and planning towards a broader functional and organization-wide approach. Other changes will occur later this summer into the fall.
