E.P. Highway Superintendent Named

East Providence has a new highway superintendent. But a search for a new pupil personnel director for the schools will have to wait.

Robert M. Walker, of Lincoln, a former acting building official in East Providence, was approved for the highway superintendent post by the East Providence Budget Commission Thursday afternoon.

City Manager Peter Graczykowski recommended his hiring over two East Providence applicants: William Abbood and Christopher DiCecco.

Walker received the highest score, 93, in an oral examination handled by the human resources department. He will be paid a base salary of approximately $71,000 with a total impact on the budget of around $115,000 after benefits.

Abbood had a score of 86 and DiCecco had a score of 85.

The highway superintendent is responsible for all operations of the Highway Division within the Department of Public Works, including the assigning of work crews and overall supervision of staff. The position also helps to mange and administer the refuse and recycling program.

The three finalists were chosen from among seven applicants given interviews. Only the top three qualified for the position, said Human Resources Director Kathleen Waterbury.

Schools Superintendent Kim Mercer’s request to start a search for a full-time pupil personnel services director was put off for at least several weeks. The position is filled right now by an interim retired administrator.

The Budget Commission was not satisified that the current school budget has sufficient funds to pay for the position, even though the base salary of $108,000 is less than interim salary of $117,000. When benefits are added in, the total impact on the budget is $138,662 – or about $12,600 more than the interim position.

Pupil personnel supervises the special education and guidance programs for the schools, said Mercer. 

School Committee Chairman Joel Monteiro, who sits in on Budget Commission meetings, said this is the second time the budget board has refused to allow a posting of the position. The last time it was posted was in 2010. 

The position is expected to be brought back to the Budget Commission for approval at its next meeting on May 23. The superintendent would like to have someone on board this summer.