A Welcome, and a Farewell
As we enter the new year, we are greeted with news of some big changes in the staffing at the Melrose Department of Public Works (DPW).
Ann Waitt served Melrose for 14 years, most recently as the Assistant Director for the Department of Public Works.
It is with an abundance of thanks and more than a little sadness that we say goodbye to Ann Waitt, who has decided to take a position with the Wakefield DPW. Ann served the city of Melrose for nearly fourteen years, most recently as assistant director for the Melrose DPW, where she was directly involved in managing the department’s waste management programs, including recycling. Over the years, Ann has vigorously promoted the city’s existing curbside recycling program and supported new initiatives, such as expansions of the Saturday collection events and environmental programs in our schools. Largely thanks to the work of the ever-cheerful Ann, the collaboration between DPW and Zero Waste Melrose (formerly the Melrose Recycling Committee) has been productive over the years and is set to accomplish even more as the city works to move the needle in innovative waste management programs.
We can hardly put it better than Mayor Paul Brodeur has done on the occasion of Ann’s announced move to Wakefield:
“Ann brings a can-do, positive attitude to even the most challenging situations, and her depth of knowledge and calm has been a major help to me in my first weeks serving as Mayor. I wish we could have kept her, and I hope each of you take the opportunity to wish her well.”
We at Zero Waste Melrose wish her well indeed. She is a friend and ally in the development and implementation of responsible and forward-looking waste management practices, and we hope we can collaborate with Ann, and the city of Wakefield, in future endeavors. Most of all, it is her smile as much as her energy and dedication that we will miss.
As we say goodbye to Ann, we say hello to Melrose DPW’s new administrative-solid waste coordinator, Samantha Flanagan. Samantha has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science and public policy with a minor in Political Science and Master of Science degree in environmental science and policy from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Samantha worked as the administrative assistant for Clark University’s Facilities Division, giving her experience in a public works environment. Simultaneously, she worked for Mass Audubon as a teacher/naturalist.
As Ann told us in announcing Samantha’s appointment, “Samantha has the unique combination of skills to administratively support DPW and ensure the city’s recycling/zero waste efforts remain a priority in our city.” Samantha’s first day of employment at Melrose DPW was December 30.
