Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

For Immediate Release, July 3, 2007

Mayor Names Robert Ward as Interim DPW Chief

Mayor James J. Fiorentini today named Robert Ward of Haverhill as the interim Department of Public Works Director for the City of Haverhill. 

As DPW Director, Mr. Ward will have authority over the water, wastewater, highway and parks departments.  Mr. Ward is currently superintendent of the water/waste water departments.

The Mayor said that Ward would start immediately on Thursday morning at 7 am and would remain until a permanent replacement is found for James Flaherty. 

Robert Ward is a Haverhill resident, who has been superintendent of the water/waste water departments since January 2004.  He is a licensed professional engineer, with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Lowell.  He has a Masters in Business certificate from University of Massachusetts at Lowell.  He has worked for the city of Haverhill since 1995.  Prior to that he was an engineer with Metcalf and Eddy in Wakefield, Massachusetts.  

The position of Department of Public Works Director is a position listed in the Haverhill ordinances but it has not been filled for many years.  The last person to hold the position was Herbert Nickerson who held the position in the 1970’s.

In making the announcement, Mayor Fiorentini said that Mr. Ward would be splitting his time between the water/waste water departments. 

Fiorentini called the move part of his efforts to reorganize the department and restore public confidence. 

“Mr. Ward’s first task will be to gain control of the department and to make certain the right management and accountability tools are in place.  I have also asked him to report to me immediately on whether we need other outside assistance to turn the department around.  He has also been given the charge to carefully examine the department and its employees and to make a recommendation for change to the Mayor.”