Parisi picked as Rockport's new Public Works chief
By Jonathan L'EcuyerGDT Staff writer
ROCKPORT - Gloucester resident Joseph Parisi Jr., who was ousted as the city's Public Works chief last month, has been chosen to lead Rockport's Public Works Department, officials confirmed yesterday.
Parisi will succeed former Director John Tomasz, once negotiations on the terms of his employment are completed.
On Wednesday night, the Department of Public Works Board of Commissioners met in open session at Town Hall to consider a number of agenda items, including the primary topic - the hiring of a new director.
Commissioners Robert Burbank, Peter Webber and Steve Vavak deliberated for an hour and a half, before voting 3-0 in favor of Parisi.
"I believe the interviewing, checking of references and the selection process proceeded very well," said Burbank, the commissioners' chairman and acting Public director, yesterday. "It was not an easy task and I know everyone carefully and thoroughly considered all the factors in reaching the selection of Mr. Parisi. We look forward to meeting with (him)."
Burbank said it was the commissioners' intent to meet with Parisi next week, most likely Tuesday.
Burbank made sure to call Parisi and the other finalist, Mike Hale, early yesterday. Hale was Gloucester's assistant engineer until Mayor Carolyn Kirk appointed him acting Public Works director.
Parisi said he missed Burbank's first call yesterday, but was quick to return the message.
"It feels great, I'm very pleased to be selected," Parisi said yesterday. "It was a great message to return home to."
Having been ousted from the director's role in Gloucester recently, Parisi knew he could face an uphill battle trying to convince Rockport's public works commissioners he could do the job.
"I certainly have the experience for the job and am glad the commissioners saw that," Parisi said. "I'm looking forward to working with them and Town Administrator Michael Racicot and the ladies and gentlemen at the DPW."
Burbank said the commissioners concluded that both men were viable candidates who could've done the job and done it well.
"Certainly it was (Parisi's) broad experience in running a public works department and his education in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which is a good engineering school, and just the careful evaluation of all his references," Burbank said. "It was a tough decision, but I think we just made the judgment in the long run. He's the best fit for Rockport."
Burbank said the commissioners did not find any evidence of mismanagement by Parisi in Gloucester.
"In checking references, we found no reason to believe that the problems in Gloucester, whatever they are, were a result of Joseph Parisi's mismanagement," Burbank said. "We felt the long, systemic problems in Gloucester were not the result of Parisi's management."
Parisi boasted 15 years of municipal experience. During last week's interview, he said he acquired a strong financial background after working for seven years in Gloucester's assessor's office and two years as an administrative assistant to former Mayor Bruce Tobey. He was Gloucester's director of public works for six years before Kirk chose not to reappoint him last month.
"He seems like a very experienced public works manager with a lot of years under his belt," said Racicot yesterday. "I look forward to working with him."
Racicot said Parisi's skill with geographic information systems was probably one of many factors the commissioners took into consideration during the selection process.
A geographic information system is a reference tool that uses geographic information to analyze data.
Parisi had told commissioners that he spearheaded several advancements while at the helm of Gloucester's Public Works Department, including development of a geographic information system on a conservative budget.
"Not many directors have the GIS experience that I do," Parisi added.
Rockport's Department of Public Works, which frequently needs accurate updated parcel map data, could benefit from a geographic information system. Currently, consultants hired by the town must produce their own digital maps as needed for individual projects. Those consultants retain ownership of the maps at the close of their contracts. This requires the town to pay for maps for subsequent contractors.
"GIS is a tool like many other tools and resources, certainly it's an important tool and I think the town has been talking about that for a while, but has just never funded it," Burbank said. "We look forward to Joe helping us and working up toward a GIS program; it's certainly a technology that would be helpful for the town but it has to be done right."
The advertised salary for the position was between $90,000 and $95,000.
Burbank said he didn't expect negotiations to hang up the hiring process.
"I suspect this will go very smoothly, but you never know," Burbank said. "I think Mr. Parisi was delighted."
Parisi echoed Burbank's comments, saying he didn't foresee any problems and was "anxious to begin."
