Resident Christopher Saley, owner of the Bridge House Restaurant, has been named the new public works director, replacing Bruce Kolwicz, who retired.
Saley's appointment represents the culmination of an extensive three month process during which 37 applicants were considered and 16 were interviewed, said Mayor Ben Blake in a press release Thursday.
The interviews were conducted by a search committee consisting of City Attorney Jon Berchem, Personnel Director Tania Barnes, Recreation Director Paul Piscitelli, local businessman Joe Agro, and the City of Danbury Public Works Director Antonio Iadarola. The search committee referred four finalists to the mayor for a second interview, and Saley emerged as the top candidate.
“Chris brings to the table a unique and diverse skill set for this position,” Blake said. “As a Milford native, he knows our streets and neighborhoods, he knows our business owners, our residents, and he knows how our city operates. Chris served on Milford's Sewer Commission and presently serves on the Board of Education and Permanent Schools Building Committee, two positions from which he will step down prior to starting his new role.”
As the owner of a local property management and development company, Saley knows construction, project management, and heavy equipment operation.
“Chris also understands budgets, union contract negotiations, and how to effectively manage a large team of employees, based upon his prior experience as a hospital operations director,” Blake said. “Chris' experience as a small business owner will enable him to find efficiencies and cost effective solutions. I'm excited to have Chris join our team.”
Saley is scheduled to begin in the director position on April 14. In the meantime, he will work on transitioning his other professional responsibilities so that his exclusive focus will be on the Department of Public Works.