January 10, 2007 Contact: Sue Baker
For Immediate Release 738-2000
Avedisian taps Russo to develop plan
for Sewer Authority
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that he has asked retired Warwick Police Sgt. William Russo to assess the operations, policies and personnel at the Sewer Authority and develop a way to reorganize the agency.
In his remarks at last week’s Inaugural, Avedisian announced his intention to examine the operations at the quasi-public agency to ensure that the “best procedures and management policies possible” are in place to assure “that the millions of dollars we have invested in our wastewater infrastructure, treatment facilities and processing are protected.”
Avedisian said that Russo, a nearly 34-year veteran of the force who retired last year, is well qualified to conduct the assessment.
“Sgt. Russo has earned a reputation as an unbiased, thorough investigator,” Avedisian said. “He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island, is a certified ethics instructor, and has conducted new employee orientations. He’s also been a member of several hiring and promotional boards. Equally important, Bill is a Warwick taxpayer who has generously agreed to offer his services on a volunteer basis, because he has a genuine desire to give something back to our community.”
Avedisian said Russo will begin work within the next couple of weeks. “Frank Sylvia has just come on board as our interim executive director, so I think one of the first courses of action will be for Bill and Frank to sit down together, and also meet with Chairman [Tom] Stone, to discuss the many issues currently facing the Sewer Authority and its future course of action.”
Avedisian said he had consulted with Stone about Russo conducting a review beforehand. “Tom’s fully on board with this,” he said.
“Bill is a competent, well respected individual,” Stone said. “I think having his perspective on issues related to the Sewer Authority will be very valuable as we move forward, and we will certainly be receptive to any suggestions and ideas he presents.”
Avedisian did not put a timetable on when he and Stone would expect Russo’s report.
“Sgt. Russo has an enormous amount of experience as an investigator, so I have full faith and confidence that he will submit a report when he feels he has thoroughly examined and assessed each issue,” he said.