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07/20/2018 07:50 AMAfter nearly two decades dedicated to creating the best possible engineering outcomes for the town's infrastructure and building projects, Branford Town Engineer Janice Plaziak wrapped up her final day on the job at Town Hall on July 19.
Plaziak said making the decision to leave Branford for a new opportunity was bittersweet and difficult, but one she felt she shouldn't pass up. Beginning Monday, July 23, Plaziak becomes Guilford's new Town Engineer, following the retirement of 43-year veteran Jim Portley.
"It was a hard decision to apply and a hard decision to accept the job. It was a process," said Plaziak, who lives in Guilford. "I've worked here for 20 years and know the town very well. I have enjoyed being able to serve the town in many capacities, including Engineer, and seeing a lot of good projects come through to completion."
Plaziak began working for the town as Assistant Town Engineer in 1994. She said she's always put "serving the town" at the forefront of her responsibilities.
"It's been my pleasure to serve the town. I've always thought of it as that -- serving the town," said Plaziak. "Trying to help people with their problems that we can help them with, making sure we're doing things that are in the best interest of the town in general, and making sure projects are done open and with integrity, so that we're really getting the best for the people's money -- as well as coming up with best solution that we could do at the time to solve that problem."
During her tenure, Plaziak oversaw Branford's compliance with a mandated, multi-year project to upgrade the town's sewage system. The project was initiated in 2004 by consent decree reached with the town and the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and state Department of Environmental Protection; due to past overflows violating the federal Clean Water Act. The massive overhaul was finally completed this year, said Plaziak.
"That was a 14-year consent decree in place; which was a major upgrade to the system [with] over $10 million spent upgrading the system," said Plaziak. "We just got it closed out in May; so I got to see it through from beginning to end."
Plaziak said another highlight of her career here was the installation of Branford's new Fire Department headquarters, which opened in 2012 at 45 North Main St.
Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove noted Plaziak has been a key factor in the success of numerous other projects over her 20 years of service, including her most recent work to help usher in major town building projects at Walsh Intermediate School and the Community/Senior Center.
"I think your colleagues, the staff and town officials and all the residents respect you and recognize and appreciate what you've done for the town in working on these projects," Cosgrove told Plaziak, during a staff gathering to recognize Plaziak at Town Hall on July 19.
"Personally, when I took office, there were a lot of projects that I wanted to see happen; and since taking office, there's been some others that have come up," Cosgrove continued. "You're somebody that played a key part in moving those forward. I thank you for that. It's not just one person that can do it, it's a strong team; and certainly, you were a strong member of that team."
Cosgrove said Plaziak is also highly respected by her peers and always brings candor and integrity to every project. He told her she was someone he would turn to for professional advice, and as a result, "...I think you've helped me come to making better decisions as we move forward on projects."
The first selectman also presented Plaziak with a Certificate of Distinguished Service from the Town of Branford. Plaziak said she was proud to have provided her services to the town.
"The infrastructure of the town is important; it's a valuable asset," she said. "Having been involved with it for so many years and knowing it so well; and being able to identify needs, come up with solutions and obtaining grants and other [funding] to help offset the town's costs for projects is something that I've enjoyed doing and been very proud of."
Plaziak said she's also enjoyed working with fellow department heads, staff and town leaders in achieving a lot of those goals.
"Everyone has to work together," she said. "Working with the First Selectman's office, the RTM, the Board of Finance; everything's very collaborative, and that's what nice about it. You have to build a consensus to make sure things are done and it's what the community wants; and enjoy that. I've learned a lot of lessons on that here; and hope to bring it to my next position. I will miss everybody, but I won't be too far away."