BERLIN–The Mayor and Council of Berlin are pleased to announce the consolidation of the Public Works and Water Resources Departments under the leadership of current Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter. This move follows the resignation of Public Works Director Mike Gibbons, who is leaving Berlin to pursue an opportunity in Fruitland.
Kreiter joined the Town staff in 1991 as a wastewater operator – an entry-level position and has moved up through the department to become Director of the Water Resources Department, which combines the former Water and Wastewater Departments under one and includes the spray irrigation division and the Stormwater Utility. The consolidation of the departments will bring in all the functions of the Public Works Department – primarily trash and recycling collection, parks’ maintenance, and street and sidewalk maintenance under Kreiter’s direction.
“Mike brought the Public Works Department a long way in his time with Berlin. Public Works and Water Resources have worked closely together for many years and I know that he is leaving behind a highly competent and dedicated staff,” Kreiter said. “I look forward to working with them.”
Jane came to Berlin with a degree in biology and today is a certified water and wastewater superintendent. She feels that, her position and the responsibilities of her department represent the ultimate in environmental stewardship.
“It is often said that water is our planet’s most precious resource and when you think about it, other than air, it is the one resource which has the most impact on every other aspect of life,” she said.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said, “the addition of the responsibilities of the Public Works Department fit very well into this philosophy as waste management (commonly known as trash), recycling and even the paving of streets ultimately play a part in the health of our natural water and the environment overall. Ensuring that the entire system, from the water we drink from our household taps, to the way that wastewater is treated and ultimately dispersed back into the environment, and the handling of trash and recycling represents this stewardship.”
Kreiter joined the Town staff in 1991 as a wastewater operator – an entry-level position and has moved up through the department to become Director of the Water Resources Department, which combines the former Water and Wastewater Departments under one and includes the spray irrigation division and the Stormwater Utility. The consolidation of the departments will bring in all the functions of the Public Works Department – primarily trash and recycling collection, parks’ maintenance, and street and sidewalk maintenance under Kreiter’s direction.
“Mike brought the Public Works Department a long way in his time with Berlin. Public Works and Water Resources have worked closely together for many years and I know that he is leaving behind a highly competent and dedicated staff,” Kreiter said. “I look forward to working with them.”
Jane came to Berlin with a degree in biology and today is a certified water and wastewater superintendent. She feels that, her position and the responsibilities of her department represent the ultimate in environmental stewardship.
“It is often said that water is our planet’s most precious resource and when you think about it, other than air, it is the one resource which has the most impact on every other aspect of life,” she said.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said, “the addition of the responsibilities of the Public Works Department fit very well into this philosophy as waste management (commonly known as trash), recycling and even the paving of streets ultimately play a part in the health of our natural water and the environment overall. Ensuring that the entire system, from the water we drink from our household taps, to the way that wastewater is treated and ultimately dispersed back into the environment, and the handling of trash and recycling represents this stewardship.”