Date: Fri 12-Dec-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Rosenthal-Hurley-public-works

Full Text:

Rosenthal And Hurley Clear The Air

Throughout the fall campaign, Herb Rosenthal, then a first-selectman

candidate, criticized the town's Public Works Department for what he called a

lack of efficiency.

Last week, he met in a closed-door session with Public Works Director Fred

Hurley for one of several meetings he held with staff members. The meeting

reportedly cleared the air a bit on where the two men stood on the issue of

public works. Both men were upbeat about their conversation.

"I thought we cleared up a lot of the rumors and miscommunications," said Mr

Hurley. "A lot of it was just a misunderstanding."

Mr Rosenthal has said he plans to reorganize the department. From the meeting,

Mr Hurley said he learned that simply means institutionalizing some of the

more informal arrangements that have been in place for years.

Nevertheless, the first selectman said he still has plans for a complete

review of the public works to see if it can be done more efficiently. He hopes

to combine many of the duties done by the school, town and Parks & Recreation

crews.