Westminster is close to hiring an interim replacement for its planning and public works director, who has been called on active duty to work in Kuwait.
Thomas Beyard, who has served the city since 1987 and has been in the Maryland National Guard since 1982, will leave in June and return sometime in 2007.
“Our goal is to get an interim replacement on site in April,” said Mayor Thomas Ferguson.
Nine applications are being reviewed, and Ferguson and Beyard will conduct interviews this week.
The replacement will work with the department heads for streets and utilities, planning, and housing and community development.
Among the priorities for the interim director will be:
» The three-phase West Green Street reconstruction project, which is expected to take place from May 1 to July 1, 2007;
» Working with the state to look for alternative water sources such as ponds, reservoirs and quarries.
“We want to make sure [the several major projects] all proceed successfully without any glitches,” said Council Member Robert Wack.
If the interim position expires before Beyard?s return, his duties could be transferred to the new city administrator position, which would oversee the day-to-day operations of the city government.
“Depending on the skills this administrator brings to the table, we may need the interim director of planning and public works for a shorter period of time,” Ferguson said.
Where the current director is going
As part of the Headquarters Aviation Depot Maintenance Roundout Unit based at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Thomas Beyard will be the command sergeant major to a unit of between 200 and300 soldiers.
