By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Last week, the majority of the Naples Select Board rejected changing the name of the Naples Maintenance Department to Public Works.

As a matter of fact, the board voted, 1-3, to adopt the department name change. Only Selectman Kevin Rogers voted in favor of the name switch.

Going forward, it will still be called the Maintenance Department.

On Feb. 26, Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers introduced the agenda topic. At the beginning of February, the board attended a workshop to discuss the difference between a maintenance and a public works department, he said.

“The work that is being conducted by our maintenance department is that of a public works department. Public Works is defined as any organization that is involved in projects in the excess of $50,000. That is the work currently being executed by our maintenance department,” he said.

“The name change, in and of itself, does not come with any increased budget or increased funding. That is determined by the town each year at town meeting what they would like to allocate funds to,” Rogers told the board. “It is a name change only.”

Chair Ted Shane stated his opinion after the motion was made.

“I am not going to vote for this change at this time. I feel like it is the cart before the horse. We don’t have adequate equipment to perform the duties of a public works department. If we gain that equipment in the future, I will change my mind,” Shane said.

Selectman Rogers expressed his support for the name change.

“I’ve literally made this motion because there is no difference to the name at all. I made the motion in hopes that we move on and we don’t waste any more time talking about it. It is just a title. It has no cost tied to it,” he said. “Instead of spending energy discussing what to call the department, energy could be focused on how to improve it.” Selectman Rogers said. “Eventually, it is going to be called public works. That is the way we are moving.”

Chairman Shane spoke next, saying he agreed with Rogers that was the direction in which the town is moving.

“Before we move onto the step, it is up to the taxpayers to pay for the equipment. The voters haven’t voted for any dump trucks,” he said.

An audience member who did not state his name asked why this change was being considered.

“The reason for the name change is to acknowledge what they are doing. Maintenance department denotes changing light bulbs, fixing door knobs,” Town Manager Rogers said. “Our department right now — they are digging and placing culverts, writing grants for culvert repairs . . . The work they are doing is that of a public works.”

The person in the audience asked, “Why are we doing it if we are not public works? The town said maintenance department but we are doing public works stuff is what it sounds like.”

Rogers answered the question.

“The demands placed on the department exceed that of a maintenance department. That is what the growth of the town is necessitating,” he said.

“It seems shady,” the person in the audience said. “We have already talked about this. What do the people want? Do you want a public works? Do you want to fund a public works? Then, let’s be open about it. Be honest about it.”

Town Manager Rogers said last year at annual town meeting, the name change was bundled with an equipment purchase.

“This is not what this ask is. If the town decides we want to continue to outsource plowing and to outsource ditching, the town can vote to do that,” Rogers said.

“The work they are doing now is public works,” he stated.

Also, during the conversation, Select Board member Stephen La Pointe clarified if the name switch needed to happen in order for the town to buy equipment or take on public works jobs.

“I am not aware of any funds we have been denied because of being called the Naples Maintenance Department. Any savings or any grants — we are not limited by our name,” Town Manager Rogers said.

Then, Selectman Rogers who joined the meeting via Zoom half-jokingly offered another reason to make the switch to public works. 

“It is easier to spell on fleeces and jackets,” he said.

Resident Kathy Keinath asked, “You mentioned the scope of work and how the maintenance department is doing the work of a public works department. How long have they been doing that type of work?”

Rogers said that the Maintenance Department Director Steve Merkle has his thumb on the pulse of the roads.

“As road commissioner, my deputy is Steve Merkle. He knows the roads. He is the one who responds to any demands on our road system. He is the one who works with P&K on callouts in the morning. He went with the subcontractor to do asphalt applications. He is my principal agent on the road,” Rogers said. 

Until this past summer, all the work was done by Merkle and one part-time employee, Rogers said. Last summer, the Town of Naples hired two more full-time employees for the department, he said. Now, there is a staff of three full-time and one part-time employee.

“The town recognized the work has increased so they approved additional funding to hire additional employees,” Rogers said.