6 minute read
Public Works Pipeline
An IntervIew wIth Glenn FerGuson DIrector oF hIGhwAys, trees, AnD GrounDs town oF norwell, MA
Can you provide us some insight into your background, education, and history that led you into the field of Engineering and Construction? I graduated from Purdue University in 1983 with dual degrees in Geotech and Civil Engineering. I spent a half dozen years after graduation working for several Civil Engineering companies before founding Green Environmental, Inc. (GREEN). GREEN is a multi-faceted turnkey environmental, engineering, and remediation company specializing in site assessments, soil and groundwater remediation, asbestos assessment and cleanup. We are in our 35th year. GREEN’s clientele includes UCANE members, as well as, state and city municipalities, insurance companies and real estate developers. I am still the owner of GREEN and am fortunate to have a strong management team in place to run the day-to-day operations.
What motivated you to become so involved in the Norwell Community and when, why, and how did you attain your current position as Director of Highways, Trees and Grounds?
I’ve always been a firm believer that a healthy town is a result of its individual constituents. When I moved my family to Norwell in the late 90s I started to get involved with the community by volunteering to be on a few committees. I wanted to offer some of my skills to the town and to learn more about how it operates. Since my four kids were enrolled in the public schools, I also took an interest in the school system. In 1998, I ran my first race for Norwell School Committee. I won it and I was re-elected to four more consecutive terms (15 years). For a period of time it seemed like I was spending more time at various volunteer committee meetings than I was at my day job. The Norwell Chamber of Commerce apparently thought the same thing. I was flattered and honored when the Chamber named me Norwell Citizen of the Year in 2015.
In 2016, Norwell’s highway director retired after 30 years. Norwell is only one of about four communities in Massachusetts where the highway director is an elected position. I thought that position might be an opportunity for me to combine my engineering and construction knowledge and maybe help make some important improvements to the Town’s infrastructure. I entered the election and won the race in a field of four candidates.
After running a business in the private sector for 35 years, I’m now five years into learning how to get things done in the public sector. Although there might be a few more steps involved on the public side than I was used to, public works departments are able to get things done. I have great crews working in my department and a knowledgeable and caring Town Administrator and Select Board that I can talk to about funds and needed projects. We have made progress continued on page 29
on important projects and I take pride in making the operation of the entire Highway, Trees and Grounds Department more transparent and accountable.
Can you give us a brief description of Norwell regarding make-up of the Highway Division, population, and the infrastructure assets that your Department is responsible for maintaining? Norwell has a population of 12,000. The Highway Department is responsible for the maintenance of 80 miles of public roadways and 30 miles of drainage infrastructure. We also maintain 80 acres of recreational parks and playing fields along with two cemeteries. We handle the snow and ice operations, recycling, street light maintenance, and a host of things in between. Our Department is staffed with 16 full-time employees and a dozen summer interns who are all kept very busy. Norwell Water Department takes care of the town’s municipal water system. At present there is no town sewer system, with all businesses and residences being on private septic.
What do you currently see as the most pressing infrastructure needs for the Town of Norwell in the next few years, and is there a 5-year Asset Management Plan in place to address those needs? Maintaining the 80 miles of roads is a challenge every year. When oil prices are down and borrowing rates are low, I try to increase the road budget to improve efficiency. We also have over 100 stream culverts, many of which are past their useful life and often undersized.
I’m a firm believer in paying attention to the utilities existing below the surface before investing in overlay paving or road reconstruction. I’m currently working with an engineer to assess our old culverts and develop an orderly schedule for replacements over the next several years.
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Another recent pressing issue is the increasing number of diseased and dead trees along our roadways which can quickly become a public safety issue. Arborists are attributing this new problem to climate changes that we are seeing throughout the state.
I have made a lot of contacts in both the Engineering and the Construction communities over the years, including many UCANE contractors. If I have a question on how to proceed with an in-house project or if I need help on a project cost estimate for a funding request, I’ve been able to reach out to these experts. UCANE’s Construction Industry Directory is on my desk and I consider it a very handy resource for myself and our entire Department.
How does your municipality normally fund infrastructure projects that your Department performs or contracts out? What would be a typical annual budget for your Division? Currently work for infrastructure improvements comes from a combination of three to four sources: Annual Budget, Town Articles, Bonds, and Chapter 90 Funds. This combination typically runs $3-$5 million a year. Recently some selected CPA (Community Preservation Act) monies have been assigned to my Department for the creation of parking areas and walking pathways.
All of your commitments to the Town of Norwell, to Green Environmental, and to various professional associations (including UCANE and Plymouth County Highway Association) must make for a very busy week. Do you have a hobby on your “off-time” that might help you relax a bit?
You are correct that my workdays are quite busy. I have been involved with several professional associations, including UCANE, for most of my career. I’ve stepped back a bit but still enjoy those chances to catch up with old friends and listen to new ideas.
I also like to read and I’m in the process of reading all of the Pulitzer-prize winning literature novels. My favorite “get-away” passion has always been mountain climbing. When I was a bit younger I scaled some famous peaks around the world. In recent years I’ve stayed more local and have recently completed the “New England 67 Peaks” (>4,000 FT) – all solo. I appreciate the quiet time and it keeps me in shape. n
Serving the Bonding and Insurance needs of the N.E.construction industry for almost 50 years.
