DPW Director, two others resign; seven on leave

Published in the March 10, 2016 edition

By BOB TUROSZ

NORTH READING — Public Works Director Richard Carnevale has resigned following the arrest of a DPW employee on charges of drug possession and after several other DPW employees were placed on administrative leave pending a police investigation and internal investigation by the town. 

The following is a statement from North Reading Town Administrator Michael P. Gilleberto.

“I am aware of the North Reading Police Department’s drug investigation involving employees at the Department of Public Works. One employee has already been arrested, and he and six others have been placed on administrative leave at this time. Two other DPW employees have resigned in the past two days.

“While he is not implicated in the criminal investigation, in light of these events, I have also accepted the resignation of Public Works Director Richard Carnevale.

“The Town of North Reading is also conducting an external administrative investigation to assist us in determining the extent of this problem and to aid the Town in taking swift and decisive actions going forward. This investigation will remain separate from the criminal investigation being conducted by the North Reading Police Department.

“The citizens of North Reading rightly expect to have a functional and trustworthy Department of Public Works, and we are working to ensure just that.”

Carnevale has been DPW Director since 2009. He was appointed to the job by former Town Administrator Greg Balukonis after the previous DPW Director, David Hanlon, retired.