By Steve Huffman
Salisbury Post
SPENCER ó Spencer has a new director of its public works department.
Barry Pruett, 52, was appointed to the job in January. He’s worked for the public works department for three years as a semi-skilled laborer.
Pruett succeeds Dick Paestella, who left the position last fall for a job with the city of Salisbury.
Pruett and his wife, Sarah, have four children. He said he’s looking forward to his new job.
“It can be a challenge at times, but I think I can handle it,” he said.
Pruett will oversee a department that includes nine full-time and two part-time employees. Workers are responsible for everything from trash collection to street maintenance to upkeep of the town’s parks.
Pruett was born in Winston-Salem and lived in Greensboro until 1969, when his family moved to Rowan County. He’s been here ever since, attending North Rowan High School before graduating from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
Spencer Mayor Jody Everhart said there were about 10 or 12 applicants for the job of public works director and that list was whittled to three finalists.
Everhart said Town Manager Larry Smith selected Pruett for the job after he and Smith discussed the finalists.
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Everhart said of Pruett.
Everhart said one of Pruett’s strengths is that he’s a naturalist and played an intricate role in helping maintain the trees in Library Park and those along Salisbury Avenue.
“He’s good with scheduling and people,” Everhart said.
Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222 or shuffman@salisburypost.com.