City names acting water boss to replace retiring Duffrin

Todd Hayes is officially the acting Port Washington water superintendent.

Hayes, who has worked for the water department for more than 37 years and is a foreman, was named to the post by the Common Council Dec. 21.

He succeeds Leo Duffrin, who has been on leave for a medical condition since August and has announced he will retire in June 2022.

“What we had hoped would be an absence of several months has turned into a permanent situation,” Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven said. 

Hayes, he said, has been handling many of Duffrin’s duties since he left and should be formally recognized as the superintendent.

The city is beginning a search for a permanent water superintendent and hopes to have that person in place by March, officials said.

Hayes is expected to retire in 2023, they noted. 

Aldermen approved giving Hayes a salary increase of about $16,700 while he is superintendent, or an extra two hours pay per day, officials said.

Because Duffrin and the new superintendent will both be on the city payroll for an estimated 10 weeks, the council approved an additional $27,000 to cover that cost.

Aldermen are expected next week to consider a $25,000 contract with City Water, a firm working on plans for the renovation of the water plant, to provide support for the utility until a new superintendent is hired.

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.

Officials said that’s “critically important” because in addition to Hayes, longtime employee Jerry Weiss is also 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.