DPW workers recognized as first responders

Members of the administrative staff of the Canton Department of Public Works pose with Select Board members following their unanimous vote to formally recognize DPW workers as first responders.

The Canton Select Board on Tuesday joined other states such as Mississippi and New Hampshire in formally recognizing public works employees as first responders.

Following the unanimous 5-0 vote, DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta joined DPW administrators Bill Walsh, Chris Sykes, Larry Bogue and Tim Stock in holding a new flag that will be unfurled in front of the DPW offices on Bolivar Street.

New Select Board Chair Mike Loughran read a public statement in support of the move. “Public works is often considered the ‘silent arm of public safety,’” he said. “Public works professionals are often the first on the scene and the last to leave, providing vital support for emergency partners, helping protect essential services and infrastructure, and restoring those services and infrastructure following an emergency. Former President George Bush issued an executive order officially recognizing public works professionals as first responders, critical to first response as public safety personnel.

“The Select Board, in recognition of the efforts of the women and men of the Canton Public Works Department and in agreement with the executive order, authorize the use and display of the APWA Public Works First Responder Symbol as the unifying emblem that represents this team of dedicated public works professionals to the community and raises awareness of the role they play in emergency response.”

Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, board members voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of Loughran as the new chair, with John McCourt being named vice chair and Chris Albert appointed clerk.

Loughran agreed to extend the public comment period from 15 to 20 minutes and said it is still to be determined whether the comment period will be held at the beginning or the end of board meetings.

Most of the public comment period focused on whether the Select Board should renew the contract of Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty, which expires on June 30. Loughran said discussions on these types of contracts are held in executive session and asked that those who have comments to submit them in writing to the Select Board. Loughran reported that as of Tuesday night, the board had not begun negotiations with Rafferty. Most of the residents who spoke on the matter were opposed to a contract renewal for Rafferty, citing the need for new police leadership in light of the CPD’s handling of the John O’Keefe murder investigation.

In other news from the May 28 meeting:

* Town Administrator Charles Doody announced that he has revived the Serenity Garden project begun by the Community Club of Canton in 2019 and later suspended due to COVID-19. Doody said the Community Club …

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