An Interview with Joseph Flanagan DPW Director Town of Dedham, MA Will you please provide us with some insight into your background, education, and history that led you into your current position? In my early years, growing up in Dedham, I worked summers for a couple of local contractors including P.J. Hayes. I liked the construction business and after graduation from Salve Regina University in 1992, with a degree in Administration of Justice, I began working at the Flatley Company learning more about construction and especially permitting, and how timelines worked from planning to completing the project. I immediately enrolled in Wentworth Institute of Technology for building and site related courses. In 1996, I accepted an opportunity at the Dedham/ Westwood Water District. Wanting to learn more about waterworks, I took night classes in construction management and water treatment at Wentworth and the University of Lowell and worked my way up to a superintendent. In 1999, I returned to the Flatley Company where I spent the next seven years as a project manager, which included obtaining permits, making public presentations for project approvals, and building large Flatley retail, residential, and commercial projects all over New England. In 2006, the Town of Dedham was looking for a Director of Public Works. I knew the Town was about to embark on a new level of commitment to their aging infrastructure. I liked the challenge it presented, and the job was close to home. With the wide-ranging experience that I had under my belt, I decided to put in an application. I got the job and this became the beginning of my public works career. It is a very satisfying position that allows me to make a difference in the community. What Industry groups or associations do you belong to, and how has that helped your career? FEBRUARY, 2022
I am currently on the Board of Norfolk Bristol Middlesex Highway Association (NBM). I am also a member of the Mass. Highway Association, and I am a member of Mass. Municipal’s Transportation Committee. There are many great associations and committees that I am a small part of including Mass. Waterworks Association, the New England Chapter of American Public Works Association, and the Solid Waste Association. As Dedham’s Tree Warden, I also belong to the Mass. Tree Warden Association. These groups all have different specialties that keep me up to date with all the various facets of public works and help me to do my job better. Being able to meet and network with other public works officials has helped further my knowledge of the business. I have been fortunate to have worked with some great Directors who always have answered my calls for advice including Tim Walsh of Westwood, Bob O’Brien of Walpole, and most of all Joe Welch from Norwood. I have known Joe for many years and his phone is always on. He is always available and willing to share his knowledge and commentary. continued on page 47
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