SWAMPSCOTT — Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta announced two new employees who have joined his staff during the Select Board’s meeting Wednesday night.
The additions of Joe Ragusa and Cabot Dow bring the DPW staff to a total of 16 members. Cresta noted how he is now responsible for hiring all 16 of the current members of the department throughout his 21-year tenure.
Ragusa, a Nahant native, attended the Swampscott school district growing up and expressed his intentions to be a consistent presence with the DPW for years to come.
“Joe (Ragusa) came to the department highly recommended,” Cresta said. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever received as many phone calls for a prospective hire than I did for Joe (Ragusa).”
In his first three weeks as a DPW staff member, Cresta said he has performed a number of services, including repairing a service pipe leak on Bates Road.
According to Cresta, Dow was chosen in favor of five other candidates. Dow spent time living in both Swampscott and Marblehead during his youth, and also attended Swampscott Public Schools.
“Cabot (Dow) has only been in the department for a couple of days, but he’s fit right in,” Cresta said.
Cresta named Dow’s carpentry experience as a potential asset he hopes to take advantage of.
After welcoming the DPW’s newest members, Cresta and the Board honored one of its oldest. Carl Eckman retired after 37 years of service with the department. Cresta said Eckman’s “institutional knowledge” will be the biggest loss the department will face with his departure.
“Even when they’re not getting along, they’re the first ones to pitch in and do what’s got to be done,” Eckman said about the character of DPW workers. “Sometimes it’s a thankless job, but I’m grateful.”
Chair MaryEllen Fletcher presented Eckman with a citation on behalf of the entire Board. She described the DPW as the department that “keeps Swampscott going.”
