Published in the April 7, 2016 edition

By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING — Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto has announced the appointment of Robert Moylan as acting director of the North Reading Department of Public Works, effective Monday, April 4.

Gilleberto said Moylan’s appointment is for a 90 day period. Meanwhile, the investigations into the DPW are continuing and there have been no changes in anyone’s status. One DPW employee remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

Moylan will replace Michael Soraghan, who served as acting director of the DPW since the police made two arrests, including one DPW employee in a drug investigation last month. Nine other DPW employees subsequently resigned, including DPW Director Richard Carnevale, who was not implicated in the events but resigned as head of the department. 

When Carnevale resigned, Soraghan, the town engineer, was named acting director on a temporary basis. Gilleberto expressed gratitude to Soraghan for “stepping up” as acting director for these difficult last four weeks. Soraghan now returns to his town engineer’s position.

Soraghan expressed gratitude for Gilleberto’s praise, but said it was a group effort.

“The core group of people you have left is very responsible and it was a team effort from both the administration and the crew. Hopefully, better days are ahead,” Soraghan said.

The T.A. said Moylan will assist in review of the DPW fiscal 2017 budget and provide his evaluations and recommendations on the department’s operations at the conclusion of his term. Moylan will be paid as an hourly employee, Gilleberto said.

Moylan, a Worcester native, began working for Worcester as an engineer in 1978. He served several technical and managerial roles in the department before being named commissioner in 1993.

In that role, he oversaw a $90 million operating budget, a $45 million capital budget and 400 employees, the blog states. He was responsible for the city’s water system, its sewer system, waste disposal, streets, parks, buildings and its traffic system. He also oversaw the engineering department.