Wright hangs it up, retires from Public Works Director job

Lee Wright is excited to be able to hunt and trap all he wants in retirement. His last day with Greenfield Public Works was Tuesday.

Wright said he reached the ability to retire three years ago, so he wants to retire while he’s still physically able to enjoy the things he loves doing in his free time.

Wright spent 32 1/2 years employed by the City of Greenfield. For the last decade of that time, he was Public Works Director.

“I started off on the street, then I was a mechanic for seven or eight years,” Wright said. “When I got to be Public Works Director, [the different perspectives I had gained helped] because you knew the ins and outs of things.”

Wright explained that when you work for the street department, you oversee all aspects of many things, from trees to the sewer system to snow removal in the winter.

“Some days you feel like you don’t get anything done because it’s five minutes here, 10 minutes here and you’re bouncing all over,” Wright said. “Other times you feel you’ve accomplished a lot.”

Big projects Wright was a part of that he will remember include the large sewer lining project, building the new wastewater treatment plant, building the new runway at the airport and the large scale street project that took place during the spring, summer and fall of 2020.

Another good memory Wright has is the community support Greenfield residents showed when a high wind storm hit the community in June 2018. Just three hours after the storm had passed, community members had done enough work, along with Public Works employees, that all streets were passable.

Wright said that his position relies heavily on the city council.

“I’ve had a pretty good council to work with my whole time I’ve been here,” Wright said. “Almost all of what I do is dependent on them. We’ve got our normal ‘no questions asked’ things, but any major project has to have council approval.”

Brian Hoadley, who has worked for the city for just a little longer than Wright, was hired Dec. 21 by the city council to succeed Wright as Public Works Director. He will be featured in a future article.

“In the Public Works position, you’ve gotta be available. It cuts into your ‘play time,’ even on weekends and evenings. When they call you’ve gotta go,” Wright said. “I’ve had a really good council the whole time I’ve been here, and that has helped.”