GREENFIELD — After 38-and-a-half years, Dennis “Denny” Macleay’s retirement marks a loss of institutional knowledge at the Department of Public Works.
“I’m ready for the next stage in life,” said Macleay, 61.
Prior to joining the department, the Montague resident served in the Army for three years, after which he worked for Yankee Candle. He also did some work in land surveying and rubbish collection.
“One of the guys I worked with surveying told me about a part-time job for the town,” Macleay recalled. “I started at the landfill when they were digging the second pit. … About a month later, they gave me a call and asked if I wanted to work full-time.”
Since then, Macleay has made his way up the ranks, working in rubbish collection, as well as in the Highway and Traffic Division and the Sewer and Water Division. On July 21, he retired as a crew chief for the department.
“I like working outdoors,” he said. “I’d rather work outdoors than indoors. … The people aren’t bad and the money wasn’t bad, either.”
Although the work itself hasn’t changed much, Macleay has watched as municipal management has changed — not just in personnel but in its style of government. When he started working with the DPW, Greenfield had a Selectboard and a town manager. This affected how decisions impacting the department were made.
“Our town does more than other towns,” he said. “Other towns don’t do rubbish and recycle pickup; they usually don’t mess with forestry, either.”
The department held a small retirement ceremony for Macleay, honoring his 38-and-a-half years with the city.
“He’s been a great leader,” DPW Director Marlo Warner II said of Macleay. “He’s been a dedicated employee throughout his time here. I will miss him dearly.”
After a month or so of taking care of his grandchildren, Macleay said he may find part-time work to occupy his time.
In late June, George VanDelinder, manager of the Central Maintenance Division, retired after a decade with the DPW. He joined the department as the first facilities manager, with more than 30 years of experience as a mechanical engineer and a registered professional engineer.
Joe Pugliese has since taken over as the division’s manager. He said everyone he’s met thus far has told him he has “big shoes to fill.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.