Templeton hires Szocik as its new DPW director
By
Chance Viles
Reporter
Posted Dec 18, 2018 at 6:47 PM
Updated Dec 18, 2018 at 6:47 PM
TEMPLETON — The town has named Bob Szocik, a Lunenburg native, as its new Department of Public Works director.
The town has been looking for a permanent DPW director since Alan Mayo resigned in July to take a cemetery supervisor job in Westminster, as Mayo was working with cemeteries prior to his job as DPW director. For a while, Town Administrator Carter Terenzini was interim director, before naming Mark Shay interim director. Szocik was named director in late October.
“He is a good fit for the community and town and for the workers he manages,” Board of Selectmen Chairman John Caplis said. “He definitely comes to the table with a lot of knowledge and experience, and as far as I am concerned, Templeton hit the lottery with him. He has over 30-plus years’ experience. I am sure there are some learning curves, but based on his attitude and how he presents himself, he won’t have any issues.”
Szocik grew up in Lunenburg, working with the family business of excavation for 54 years.
“After my father’s passing, rest his soul, we decided to sell the business to save the family type deal,” Szocik said.
Szocik eventually became the general foreman for the Westminster DPW, but he left for Templeton after five years, looking to secure a superintendent or director position.
“I was supposed to get superintendent; after five years though, the commissioners and directors changed things around, and I moved on to here,” he said.
So far, Szocik has made some changes to the winter operations and some other procedures in the department.
“We made some office changes and winter operation changes,” Szocik said. “For example, the police used to call in the guys for every (weather) event. Now I am here myself to call the guys in. We are treating a lot earlier, and working to get more equipment. We received one new truck and will get another new one, but unfortunately that’s at the end of the winter.”
Szocik is happy with his position and enjoys the community he is now serving.
“So far the community is good,” Szocik said. “I get along good with the Board of Selectmen and town administrator, and folks in Town Hall seem to like what I am doing and seem pleasant so far, it’s all been good.”
As far as winter prep goes, the department is in a good place for this season to pick up.
“We have had some weather issues at the beginning of the month, even an event Sunday night, so we are geared up for winter operations already and we have plenty of work ahead of us come spring and summer,” Szocik said. “We plan to pave some more roads, clean some shoulders and get to work on things.”
The town has been looking for a permanent DPW director since Alan Mayo resigned in July to take a cemetery supervisor job in Westminster, as Mayo was working with cemeteries prior to his job as DPW director. For a while, Town Administrator Carter Terenzini was interim director, before naming Mark Shay interim director. Szocik was named director in late October.
“He is a good fit for the community and town and for the workers he manages,” Board of Selectmen Chairman John Caplis said. “He definitely comes to the table with a lot of knowledge and experience, and as far as I am concerned, Templeton hit the lottery with him. He has over 30-plus years’ experience. I am sure there are some learning curves, but based on his attitude and how he presents himself, he won’t have any issues.”
Szocik grew up in Lunenburg, working with the family business of excavation for 54 years.
“After my father’s passing, rest his soul, we decided to sell the business to save the family type deal,” Szocik said.
Szocik eventually became the general foreman for the Westminster DPW, but he left for Templeton after five years, looking to secure a superintendent or director position.
“I was supposed to get superintendent; after five years though, the commissioners and directors changed things around, and I moved on to here,” he said.
So far, Szocik has made some changes to the winter operations and some other procedures in the department.
“We made some office changes and winter operation changes,” Szocik said. “For example, the police used to call in the guys for every (weather) event. Now I am here myself to call the guys in. We are treating a lot earlier, and working to get more equipment. We received one new truck and will get another new one, but unfortunately that’s at the end of the winter.”
“So far the community is good,” Szocik said. “I get along good with the Board of Selectmen and town administrator, and folks in Town Hall seem to like what I am doing and seem pleasant so far, it’s all been good.”
As far as winter prep goes, the department is in a good place for this season to pick up.
“We have had some weather issues at the beginning of the month, even an event Sunday night, so we are geared up for winter operations already and we have plenty of work ahead of us come spring and summer,” Szocik said. “We plan to pave some more roads, clean some shoulders and get to work on things.”
As a resident of Templeton I would like to welcome Bob Szocik to town and hope that Bob's stay here is fruitful for both Bob and the residents of Templeton. As everyone knows Bob's position has basically been one of a whipping boy for everyone in town who wakes up on the wrong side of their bed. Good Luck Bob!
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