Now on view through May 31, 2020

      AMHERST – Eric Hahn, who has been Amherst’s Public Works Director since September of 2018, has announced his retirement.  Prior to being promoted to director, Eric served as the Assistant Director of Public Works for just over two years.  Eric has also served the town as a call Firefighter since April 2004, which he intends to continue. 

Eric has accomplished many very significant things during his tenure as DPW Director. These include: 

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• Establishing a culture of collaboration for all stakeholders interacting within and with the DPW.   The DPW regularly communicates with various boards, committees, and other town departments to understand their concerns, provide feedback and to incorporate them into the workflow and management.   Within the DPW the management team and crew are engaged and provide feedback to each other for improving DPW operations, and trials of new methods and training. The DPW has attained a level of resilience that provides for the absence of multiple personnel and continue with daily operations using properly cross trained and certified people.

• Salt use reduction for winter operations, achieving a savings of nearly 17 tons per storm of salt to date from three winters ago.   Communicating the proposed methods, taking into account feedback for environmentally sensitive areas, data gathering and data sharing, all contributed to this success story.

• A comprehensive review of policies and procedures resulting in a suite of published policies that address the most common concerns from residents, including subjects such as Brush and Tree trimming, Mailbox and ROW damage, the 7-year road plan, Salt/Sand use, Winter Operations, and Driveway & Road regulations.

      Town Administrator Dean Shankle says that Eric’s departure is going to leave a big hole in the town’s management structure.  “Public works is the largest department in town and covers road, bridges, building maintenance and the transfer station,” Shankle said.  “Getting someone with the necessary technical skills, who also has the right soft skills, is going to be difficult.”   

      Selectmen Chairman Peter Lyon commented on the many changes and successes which Eric has implemented over a relatively short period of time, recognizing that through Eric's leadership and management ability, our Department of Public Works is well respected within as well as outside the town. Further, Eric will be missed both as a leader of change and as a good friend to many.