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Riverdale Park to add project manager, shift to 'Public Projects and Services' and increase tree‑care funding
Summary
Staff proposed renaming Department of Public Works to Public Projects and Services, reorganizing roles, adding a project manager and increasing tree maintenance and plantings; staff also proposed one bobcat purchase to boost storm response and contracting janitorial services to free staff for fieldwork.
Town management proposed organizational and operational changes aimed at improving project delivery and day‑to‑day services in Riverdale Park.
Town Manager Leticia and Deputy Director Jones explained the rename of the former Department of Public Works to "Public Projects and Services" to emphasize service delivery and to reflect a staffing restructure. Jones said the proposal eliminates one supervisory operations manager, elevates team leaders to report directly to Director Lewis and adds a dedicated project manager position to oversee CIP projects.
"We're looking to hire a project manager," Jones told the council, saying the role is intended to keep CIP work on time and on budget and is not entry level. The budget also proposes replacing two part‑time seasonal positions with one full‑time maintenance technician.
Director Lewis said the tree budget increase covers pruning, removals and new plantings. "Recall that we have planted almost 90 trees within the last 12 to 16 months, and we still have a number of older trees that need to be pruned," Lewis said, adding that $15,000 is allocated to new tree planting in the proposed budget and that total tree‑related appropriations were higher to ensure adequate maintenance.
Staff also described operational changes including contracting janitorial services for some town buildings and increasing tree maintenance spending; staff proposed buying a second bobcat (with a long‑range plan for three) to improve response capability for severe winter storms and decrease reliance on leased equipment.
Council members asked for headcount and contractual‑services clarifications; staff said contracting certain services would free in‑house staff for more visible, community‑facing work and that they would supply headcount and contractual details at the follow‑up work session.
Staff closed the public hearing segment by promising corrections to formatting and page references, and to circulate requested data ahead of next week's session.
