Public Works Pipeline

An IntervIew wIth MArk ryAn DPw DIrector AnD town engIneer town of norwooD, MA

Please provide us some insight into your background, education, and history that led you into your current position?

I graduated from the University of Hartford with a BSCE in 1982. My father was Town Engineer in Norwood and worked for the Engineering Department for 43 years. I enjoyed the work he was involved in and was hired as a Civil Engineer in the Walpole, MA Engineering Department after graduation. After five years, I went into the private sector to gain additional experience with the mindset that I wanted to return to municipal government. During my time in the private sector, I obtained my Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor licenses. In 1999, I was hired as Town Engineer for Norwood and worked for General Manager John Carroll who was, after my father, my greatest influence, professionally and personally. Mr. Carroll encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree and I went nights and eventually received a Master’s in Public Administration from Bridgewater State College. In 2009, I was appointed Director of Public Works and Town Engineer for Norwood.

Will you please give us a brief description of Norwood in regards to the make-up of the DPW, population, and infrastructure statistics?

The Public Works Department includes the Water Division, Sewer and Drain Division, Parks and Highway Division, and Vehicle Maintenance. There are 39 union employees and five non-union management personnel. There is also a Cemetery Division that has six union employees and one nonunion employee. The Engineering Department has two engineers, each with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Norwood is relatively small in size at 10.5 square miles but with a population of 30,000, many parts of the Town are densely populated. The DPW maintains 110 miles of roadways, 119 miles of water mains, 122 miles of sewer mains, 95 miles of storm drains, 24 athletic fields covering 53 acres, nine playgrounds, and various parks and commons. The Cemetery Division maintains two cemeteries totaling 42 acres. On average, there are 210 burials per year.

What do you currently see as the most pressing infrastructure needs for the Town in the next few years, and is there a 5-Year Asset Management Plan in place to address those needs?

The two pressing needs are the water system and roadway maintenance. The Town has adopted a five year plan to resurface roadways totaling $4.1 million per year. We are currently in year two. We have also adopted a 10 year plan to annually clean and line 21,000 feet of water mains with an investment of $4.5 million per year. We are currently in year two. continued on page 49

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How does your municipality normally fund infrastructure projects? Does the Town utilize the SRF Loan Program through MassDEP for water infrastructure projects?

Norwood funds infrastructure projects through the SRF Program, MWRA Grants/Loans, Chapter 90 Funds for roadway projects, and with Town appropriated funds.

Funds from the Federal Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill have started to arrive in Massachusetts. Does Norwood have some projects coming out to bid in 2022 that will be utilizing Federal Infrastructure funds?

The Town does not have projects slated to be bid in 2022, however, plans are underway for two Town sponsored intersection projects on State roadways. In FY 2023, bids are expected to be received to install traffic signals at the intersection of Upland Road and Prospect Street. This project is expected to cost approximately $9 million. The following year, bids are expected for intersection improvements at Route One and University Avenue. This will be a large project estimated to cost $24 million.

What other Industry Groups and Associations do you belong to?

I belong to the Massachusetts Highway Association, Norfolk–Bristol–Middlesex Highway Association, New England Sports Turf Managers Association, and the Massachusetts Tree Warden Association.n

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