Every time someone turns on a water faucet in Mount Airy, rides down a city street or has garbage picked up, Jeff Boyles’ department is involved.
As public works director, Boyles oversees essential services such as water and sewer operations; the maintenance of streets in Mount Airy’s transportation system, including snow removal; and sanitation functions that involve regular garbage pickups along with a curbside-recycling program.
“When you get up in the middle of the night, your water better work and your toilet better flush,” Boyles summed up Wednesday afternoon at his office in the city public works building on East Pine Street.
“If you want to shut down a city, stop garbage collection,” he added.
Boyles’ phone might ring at any time of the day or night about a burst water main in sub-freezing temperatures or a breakdown of some piece of heavy equipment.
“It’s not as bad as you might think, because I have good supervisors and employees that take care of most of the problems that occur,” he said of the department’s 63-person staff. “And I might find out after the fact.”
Regardless of whatever calamity occurs, public works services that many citizens might take for granted are soon restored to normalcy under Boyles’ leadership, which also includes engineering, land development and fleet maintenance tasks.
He soon will be stepping away from such responsibilities. Boyles is retiring effective March 1 officially, ending a 27-year city government career, including nearly 20 as public works director.
Though Boyles is one of the longest-tenured municipal employees, his mother was actually the first in the family to join the City Hall team.
”Jeff plans for his last day at work to be on Feb. 26, which is the date that his mother, Mrs. Dot Boyles, came to work for the city on Jeff’s 10th birthday,” City Manager Barbara Jones recalled. “Together they have served the city for 50 continuous years.”
When Jeff was hired, having two family members on the city payroll was not viewed as a problem, since they worked in different departments and she was nearing retirement. Plus, the word at the time was that Boyles was by far the most-qualified man for the job he was seeking.
Altogether, Boyles has been in the public works field for more than 35 years, including previous employment in the private sector.
“I am a numbers guy, and the 50 years does seem like a good bookend to my career,” the public works director said of why he is retiring at this time.
Many changes witnessed
During his first 8.5 years with Mount Airy, Boyles, a graduate of N.C. State University — earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering — served as city engineer and utilities director and later was promoted to director of public works.
In addition to being thankful for the various city managers, council members and the opportunity to serve the town overall, Boyles was quick to mention Elmer Dawson and Sonny Chappell. They are former public works directors Boyles worked with, who he said instilled valuable lessons that have led to his successful leadership career.
Jones’ own time with the municipality has paralleled that of Boyles.
“Jeff has been an asset to this city and I thank him for his dedication,” she said in a statement.
“During his time with the city there have been many changes,” Jones continued. “We have approximately 80% more water and sewer lines and 60% more miles of streets.”
At last report, the water system included more than 200 miles of lines and the sewer operation, 140 miles-plus.
Mount Airy’s street mileage also has grown by about 60% during Boyles’ tenure, which has spanned rounds of massive annexations by the city and required extensions of the utility and transportation networks.
“I think what stands out to me is the way we were able to expand the water system to get it to many people outside the city,” Boyles said in highlighting what has occurred during his career.
“We have worked with river restoration and developed greenways and many other projects that he and his staff have been instrumental in,” the city manager said of additional efforts involving Boyles.
“One I see a lot of people enjoy every day is the greenway,” he agreed regarding the trail network now covering nearly seven continuous miles. “I think we hit a home run with that one.”
Boyles constantly credits his staff for such developments rather than himself, saying he has been blessed to work alongside multiple division supervisors who are as intelligent and dependable as anyone he encountered in his previous career in the private sector.
“They work long hours, often without proper recognition, to provide a superior level of service to our citizens,” he said of those in the public works unit who Boyles believes reflect the attitudes of municipal employees in general.
He said technology also has greatly aided public works tasks.
“There weren’t computers on the desk when I got here,” Boyles said. Now the department uses (GPS) Global Positioning System technology to locate utility lines, vehicles with camera systems and high-tech sanitation equipment.
Williams to fill in
Jones has announced that with Boyles’ departure, Mitch Williams, longtime city engineer, will serve as interim public works director, with no details supplied concerning plans for filling the position on a permanent basis.
“He currently serves as assistant public works director, and has worked as next in command for some time,” the city manager said of Williams.
“Mitch is very capable of continuing the high standards of service to the city,” she assured. “I am excited to work with him in this capacity.”
Williams has spent about 23 years in Mount Airy’s Public Works Department.
“I just feel like it’s time to move on,” Boyles, who’ll turn 60 next week, said in expounding on his reasons for stepping away. “And I feel like it’s time for Mitch to get his chance.”
Boyles said he plans to do some travelling with his fiancé to Europe and various locations in the U.S., while still working some in the consulting field.
Meanwhile, the city manager acknowledged the void to be left by a longtime co-worker who’ll be on the job only a few more days.
“I wish for him great travels, many trips to sunny locations and the opportunity to enjoy snow without having to worry about clearing the roadways,” Jones said.
”He will be missed.”
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Source: https://www.mtairynews.com