EASTHAMPTON — For the first time since the 1980s, a new person is serving as the director of the city’s Department of Public Works.
Monday was the last day on the job for Joseph Pipczynski, who started working in the DPW in 1985 and became its head in 1988.
“It’s amazing,” Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said of Pipczynski’s service.
She noted that he developed his staff to allow for promotion from within.
“He leaves the department with three very strong supervisors,” LaChapelle said.
One of those supervisors, Water Supervisor Greg Nuttelman, is now serving as interim director of the department, a position he started Wednesday after being appointed by the mayor.
Nuttleman has worked for more than four years in the DPW.
“I very much enjoyed working for Joe,” Nuttelman said. “I learned a lot from him.”
He also said Pipczynski leaves the department in a good position moving forward.
Nuttelman’s position is a 90-day-appointment. LaChapelle said she will post the DPW director position in 30 days, but active interviews for it won’t start until COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have been lifted.
LaChapelle said it was unfortunate that a big event couldn’t be done to honor Pipczynski’s service because of the pandemic restrictions. However, she said she would like to do something once those restrictions have been lifted.
“We want to,” LaChapelle said. “We know where to find him.”
Nuttelman, who plans on applying for the permanent opening, said several people in the department are interested in putting something together for Pipczynski, but they’re currently working on getting through the COVID-19 crisis.