PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Commissioner of Public Services David Turocy is retiring after a 30-year career.
Turocy joined the city in 2015 as commissioner of public services, filling a job that had been created four years earlier but never filled. He came to Pittsfield after serving 11 years as commissioner in Newton. In 2017 his role expanded to take on the role of commissioner of public utilities as well.
The commissioner said on Thursday that he will retire in October and will remain in the area.
"My wife retired two years ago, so it's a good time to go out and relax," Turocy said.
Turocy began his career in Lexington in March 1989 as highway and drains superintendent, overseeing 17 employees and a budget of a $1 million. In 1996, he took a job in Concord as the highway and grounds superintendent, and the employee number grew to 23 and a budget of $2 million. In 2004, he went to Newton to oversee the highway, engineering, fleet management, and trash collection, overseeing more than 200 employees and a budget of $80 million.
In Pittsfield, he oversaw road work, parks maintenance, vehicles, engineering, and the water and wastewater systems. There were some 90 employees working under him and $20 million worth of operating budget, plus numerous capital repairs.
The city is now looking for his replacement. The city's job posting seeks somebody with at least a bachelor's degree with a specialization in public or business administration, engineering, construction management, or related field. The candidate should have 10 years or more of experience with at least five in a supervisory role. The position pays about $100,000 per year.
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Pittsfield Council Preview: Councilor Privacy & Halting Berkshire Gas Work Permits
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Tuesday, the City Council will see requests to protect their own safety when it comes to sensitive information, and to deny work permits from Berkshire Gas due to "substandard" conditions.
A request to remove councilors' addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with "70 Allen Street" to improve safety will be referred to the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee. Councilors' addresses, city email, and phone numbers are currently available on Pittsfield's staff directory page.
The petition was submitted by Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham, Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, and Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody.
The councilors explain in the meeting packet that they want elected officials to have the option to replace their home addresses on all city documents and websites, including Pittsfield Community Television, with the City Hall address.
Recently, the City Council approved Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi's request to amend City Council Rule 1C. Rule 1C requires individuals to disclose their name, address, and the subject they wish to address the council about on a sheet before the open microphone portion of meetings.
Lampiasi asked to only require a person's name and municipality.
"I don't think that submitting a street address is really appropriate," she explained to the O&R subcommittee earlier this month.
"It feels invasive, and there are some safety concerns for folks."
President Earl Persip III wants Berkshire Gas to correct safety and access issues before Pittsfield allows them to do additional work on city property.
The conversation focused on wages, brain injury services, transportation, and health care, as well as the corresponding Senate and House bills. click for more
Baseball dugouts are planned for Clapp Park, and in April, the community will have one last look inside the historic Wahconah Park grandstand before it is demolished. click for more
Demand in career technical education means that Taconic will hold a lottery on Monday for fall admissions since it's short by almost 20 seats compared to the number of applications. click for more
After five meetings, the Planning Board voted to deny Berkshire Concrete's special permit, however, the company can still reapply before its current permit expires. click for more