Lebanon
Lavalla, 62, said he enjoyed serving the city and working to solve its infrastructure needs. But, Lavalla said, his coworkers made the director’s job one worth holding onto.
“What I’ve really enjoyed and what I’m proud of is really being able to serve with the team we have here in public works,” he said in an interview last week.
Lavalla came to Lebanon in 2002, after serving nine years leading public works in Hartford, where he started as a water superintendent in 1989.
“I enjoy the many different facets of public works,” he said. “Highways, wastewater, the capital projects — there are a lot of interesting things to be involved in and work on.”
“We have our hands in almost everything that’s happening in the city,” he said.
In his tenure in Lebanon, Lavalla has been instrumental in leading several large infrastructure projects. From the relocation and construction of the public works building on Route 10 to the roughly $69 million effort to separate the city’s sewer and storm pipes, Lavalla has spearheaded many improvements, said Assistant City Manager Paula Maville.
“Mike is always willing to be a member of a team,” she said in an email last week. “He’s well-versed in all things public works and is willing to provide his expertise whenever needed.”
Lavalla is also known to be “compassionate, caring and trustworthy,” Maville added.
Within public works, Lavalla is known to be reserved and quiet, said City Engineer Christina Hall. But he’s also a good listener, “very even keeled” and friendly to those around him, she said.
“He’s a great person and I wish him luck to pursue his next chapter,” Hall said.
Lebanon Mayor Sue Prentiss also called Lavalla “insightful and collaborative” with city officials and members of the public alike.
“I personally want to congratulate him on his retirement,” she said. “It’s an important part of your life to move into.”
The city has hired Meredith, N.H.-based Municipal Resources, Inc. to aid the search for Lavalla’s replacement. Applications for position, which supervises a 49 full-time employees, are due by June 25.
Lavalla said anyone hoping to lead public works needs to be nimble in solving problems.
“Things can change very quickly and we’re so diversified in all the different aspects of public works and what we do in the city,” he said. “You just have to be cognizant of that and be prepared to meet those challenges.”
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.