The Town Council names the longtime public works employee Robert Hanley as the permanent director, a role he'd been filling on an interim basis for the past year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6500, Ext. 1194 or msheley@middletownri.com
HANLEY TO HEAD PUBLIC WORKS
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (DECEMBER 6, 2021) – Robert Hanley is the new full-time director of the Town’s Department of Public Works.
Following an executive session meeting Monday night in Town Hall, the Town Council appointed Hanley to fill the position on a permanent basis. Hanley had been leading the department on an interim basis for the past year, taking over for Thomas O’Loughlin.
Hanley thanked the council, Town administration, residents and businesspeople for the vote of support and said he would work hard to make Middletown proud.
“I think we’re in a really good place right now at public works,” Hanley said. “We’re busy every day and if you look around Town, you can see we’re getting a lot done.”
He continued that the foresight of the council adding new laborers was already paying dividends.
“I know everyone is very appreciative to the Town Council for adding two more laborers,” Hanley said. “It’s made a big difference in what we’re able to get done in house.”
Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown spoke highly of Hanley, saying he had done an admirable job leading public works and meshing well with the entire Town staff.
“Bob has been excellent as the head of public works,” Brown said. “It’s not an easy position and he’s done a great job with skill and grace. His experience and knowledge of the community have really paid off for all of us.”
Hanley said he was happy with the announcement and he would be relying on all the employees at public works to continue to get the job done.
“We have a good mix in our department,” Hanley said. “We have a lot of new faces who are helping out everywhere you look and then there’s the veteran leadership who knows how we do things at Public Works.”
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