Brookline Hires First Woman DPW Commissioner

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline will have a woman to lead its department of public works for the first time.

She isn't a new face around town. Erin Gallentine has been the town's director of parks and open spaces for the past 20 years. She's worked for the town since 1998.

If the Brookline Select Board approved the hire Tuesday night, making Gallentine the first woman to hold the role of commissioner in Brookline.

She stands to replace Andrew Pappastergian, who retired this year after nearly 11 years as the commissioner of public works and 38 years with Brookline. Before Pappastergian, commissioner Tom DeMaio held the post since 1992. Before that, William Griffiths was commissioner for 12 years, beginning in 1980. He took over from Leo Picardi who began in 1968. Before Picardi, John Carlson who held the post from 1963 to 1968, according to town data.

In 2019, Pappastergian had a base salary of $167,361.16 and a gross salary of $210,926.73

Gallentine earned a base salary of $124,203.26 in the DPW department in her managerial position that same year. She earned a gross salary of $136,864.59.

"The process to recruit and evaluate candidates for this position was extensive," said Town Administrator Mel Kleckner in a memo to the select board recommending Gallentine.

Kleckner said he formed a panel of Brookline residents, and a member of the Select Board to help evaluate the candidates that a consultant had helped drive their way. Some 37 people applied for the position, five people made it to the interview phase and then the panel, recommended two candidates to Kleckner.

Brookline Select Board Vice Chair Heather Hamilton was one of the panelists alongside former school committee member Michael Glover, MA Transportation expert Chris Dempsey and Dr. Earlene Avalan who works in the diversity inclusion space within the health care field.

Gallentine graduated with her masters in environmental engineering at Tufts just two years before she started working for the town. Before that she was an environmental management consultant in Cambridge.

"Erin was clearly the most qualified candidate," said Hamilton. "She really stood out."

Kleckner agreed.

"Ms. Gallentine is an excellent communicator who will enhance the Department’s engagement with the Brookline community and its key role in addressing the Town’s many priorities including racial equity, environmental sustainability, and financial stability," he said in a note to the Select Board "strongly" recommending her for the role.

Pappastergion announced his retirement last year on the heels of Engineering, Transportation Director Peter Ditto's retirement announcement. Pappastergion stayed through the winter and into the pandemic.

Read more:

Brookline Town Salaries: Who Made The Most Money in 2019 ...

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