Bill > S1996

This bill establishes a Department of Public Works in the town of Abington, consolidating various existing town functions and offices under a single department headed by a Director of Public Works. The new department will be responsible for the repair, maintenance, and construction of town-owned public works infrastructure, including roads, sewers, and grounds, as well as central purchasing for public works supplies and equipment. While the Sewer Commission will no longer exist as a separate entity, its functions will be absorbed by the new department, and existing policy-making duties of various boards and officers, such as the Board of Parks and Recreation and the Tree Warden, will continue under the General Laws unless otherwise specified. The Director of Public Works will be appointed by the town manager and will oversee the department's day-to-day operations, with the town manager having the authority to appoint and remove department staff. The bill also ensures that existing contracts, liabilities, records, property, and equipment will be transferred to the new department, and current employees will retain their positions and service time unless specific provisions are made for their duties to be performed by others.