By Kim Siebert MacPhail
At last night’s Selectmen’s meeting, Town Manager Rick Reed announced that Bedford’s DPW Director Rich Warrington has formally submitted a letter of retirement. Reed said that Warrington has worked for Bedford for over 26 years and that he will begin his retirement on April 30, 2012.
“It’s sad to see him leave but he has gotten to an age where he can retire, and deservedly so. He has put in many, many hours of effort over the years, working for the Town of Bedford and I am sure he will be sorely missed. He did announce this to the staff today. We’ll begin the process for finding a new [director] shortly.”
“I think we’re going to have to look long and hard to find someone who has the depth of knowledge and the breadth of knowledge –in terms of public works and operation in the town like this—to replace Mr. Warrington,” said Selectman Chair Cathy Cordes. “I think he has outstanding skills and has served us well, particularly in terms of the water problems that we’ve had recently and many other things.
“He’s done an amazing job in terms of conservation and acquisition of land,” Cordes continued. “He really, really cares about this place. He loves Bedford and it’s quite obvious because he has taken incredible care of it. We’re going to miss him.”
“[His] will be big shoes to fill,” agreed Selectman Bill Moonan.
Cordes had started Monday night’s meeting—well before Warrington’s retirement was announced— by publicly thanking the DPW as well as Police, Fire, emergency communications staff and the Town Manager for their round-the-clock diligence during last weekend’s blizzard.
“The Town is run by a very professional staff and does an outstanding job,” Cordes said of the coordinated effort, of which the DPW was part. ”I think we are fortunate to live in a town like Bedford. I’m just very glad I live here.”
During the storm, according to information received from Warrington at the time, Bedford logged approximately 25 inches of snow and the DPW fielded 45 plows –23 DPW crews and 22 hired contractors—to clear Bedford’s roads and streets.
In an email following the Selectmen’s meeting, Warrington said “I have cherished the many years working for the Town of Bedford and the decision to retire was not an easy one.”
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