Board appoints acting water superintendent to replace Duffrin

The Port Washington Board of Public works on Tuesday named Todd Hayes the acting water superintendent.

Hayes will replace Supt. Leo Duffrin, who has been on leave since August due to a medical condition, Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven said.

Duffrin, who has been with the department for almost 30 years and was named superintendent in 2018, told officials late last month he would be retiring in 2022, Vanden Noven said.

Hayes, a foreman at the utility, has been with the department for more than 37 years and assumed Duffrin’s responsibilities in his absence, Vanden Noven said.

“We’re very happy with the job he’s been doing,” he said.

But some of the department reports require the signature of the superintendent, prompting the board’s action, he noted.

Hayes will receive a raise as superintendent, officials said, estimating the cost to be $11,400 in 2021 and $5,700 in 2022. 

The city will begin seeking a new water superintendent, Vanden Noven said, adding the city hopes to fill the job in March.

The board also recommended the city hire City Water, a firm working on plans for the renovation of the water plant, to provide a part-time worker to support Hayes.

The firm will ensure the city is in compliance with state and federal regulations and also help evaluate current operations and create written manuals about all the routine work at the plant.

That’s especially important, Vanden Noven said, because Hayes and longtime employee Jerry Weiss are expected to retire in 2023 — a significant loss of institutional knowledge at the plant.

City Water will also begin to plan and implement procedures to comply with new lead and copper regulations and help step-up the meter reading program.

The cost is expected to be $25,000, Vanden Noven said.