Three generations of Renfrew mayors were on hand to send the town’s top dog for roads and infrastructure off into the sunset.
Sandi Heins, Don Eady, and Tom Sidney presented outgoing Director of Strategic Asset Management Mike Asselin with a commemorative scroll last week as he wrapped up 19 years at Town Hall.
His retirement coincides with a strategic restructuring of the organization inside Town Hall to improve efficiency and maximize cost savings for the community, with Chief Administrative Officer Rob Tremblay noting that “the restructured framework aims to consolidate functions, eliminate redundancies, and foster collaboration between departments, and will result in a more efficient allocation of resources.”
Part of the changes will see the Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations Department merge with the Department of Library, Community, and Recreation Services and the Development, Environment, and Engineering Department.
Chief Administrative Officer Rob Tremblay notes that “this initiative involves the elimination of one department head position, resulting in annual savings of approximately $120,000 for Renfrew taxpayers starting in 2025.”
Acting Director Janet Collins will be staying on with the corporation on a part-time basis until December to aid with the implementation of a winter and summer maintenance operations review.
Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney expressed enthusiasm for the changes, thanking both Asselin and Collins “for their continued contributions to our community. The Council believes this restructuring will not only result in cost savings but also contribute to a more effective and efficient local government.”
(written by Kasey Egan)