Published in the August 6, 2019 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – Joseph Conway is Wakefield’s new director of Public Works.
He was the recommended choice of Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio and last night the Town Council made it official, voting 7-0 to approve Conway’s appointment.
Conway thanked Maio, Town Council members and his DPW division heads and employees, many of whom were present at last night’s meeting to support his appointment. Conway said that Public Works will always succeed as a team, calling his team “committed problem solvers.”
“These are the faces of Public Works behind me,” Conway said. “This group makes the difficult happen with regularity and the impossible happen with just a little more time.”
He singled out former DPW Director Richard Stinson for special thanks, noting that Stinson “always took the time to listen to me and offer advice. Thank you, Rick, for letting me chart my own course, grow as a professional and for mentoring me through the years.”
Starting his 12-year career with the Wakefield Department of Public Works in 2007 as a laborer, Conway rose through the ranks to serve as Operations Assistant (2016-2018) and Assistant Director of Public Works (2018-present).
A 2003 graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School, Conway has a bachelor of science degree from Salem State University and a graduate certificate in Local Government and Leadership from Suffolk University. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Massachusetts.
Maio talked about the process that led to Conway’s selection. A nine-member screening committee reviewed 20 resumes, interviewed 12 candidates and recommended four finalists to be interviewed by Maio and the town’s Human Resources Manager Amy Forziati.
In a memorandum to the Town Council, Maio listed 16 “qualifications and observations” that led to his decision to recommend Conway. Among those were Conway’s experience in “planning, directing and supervising all facets of a Department of Public Works.” Maio also cited Conway’s “deep institutional knowledge of the infrastructure of Wakefield” and his “excellent customer service skills.”
Maio summed up his recommendation to the Town Council last night. “I know that the best person for this job is Joe Conway,” he said.
Conway also received an enthusiastic letter of recommendation from former DPW Director Richard Stinson, who cited Conway’s strong leadership and communications skills, creative problem-solving ability and extensive knowledge of public works issues.
Town Councilor Ann Santos said that she had followed the selection process and it became clear early on that Conway was the strongest candidate. She noted that his institutional knowledge was a big plus in his favor, along with something else.
“Being a Wakefield boy is a bonus,” she said, noting that it meant that he was vested in the community.
Councilor Jonathan Chines said that he appreciated the process that led to the appointment and said that he had seen Conway’s customer service skills in action, praising his “tact and diplomacy” in sometimes difficult situations.
Councilor Paul DiNocco offered his congratulations to Conway. “I think we made the right decision,” he said.
Councilor Julie Smith Galvin said that she been impressed with Conway while working with him on sustainability issues. She also praised the process. “This shows that we got the right person, having had an open process,” she said.
Town Councilor Mehreen Butt echoed the comments of her colleagues and added that she looked forward to watching Conway execute his stated goal of improving communications.
Councilor Peter May also congratulated Conway, citing the “huge recommendation” from Stinson and noting that he has “big shoes to fill.”
Town Council Chairman Edward Dombroski told Conway that his appointment was “a testament to your abilities. I wish you well. You have a real opportunity to chart your own course.”
After the official vote to unanimously appoint Conway was recorded, the room erupted in applause. Conway then shook the hand of every Town Councilor and thanked them.
Finally, Maio asked Conway to introduce his wife, Kim.
Conway noted that his wife has been supportive every step of the way, through all the late nights and early mornings that are part of a public works career.
“She’s my rock behind the scenes,” he said. “Behind every good man is an even better woman.”
