Kevin Burns

Working in the Public Sector

by Stephanie J. Serrano

This September, Road Agent Kevin Burns will be celebrating 20 years of service working for the Hudson Highway Department.

Burns is a native of Lowell, who now resides in Hudson. Burns vividly recalls when he first began working for the Highway Department. He says, “Back in 1983, when I was hired as a truck driver/laborer, there were only two traffic lights in town.” He adds, “Derry Street had only two lanes instead of five, and Wal-Mart and Sam’s club were non-existent. Farms stood in place of where they would later be established.” The Hudson Mall was the most popular spot in town and the only fast food place was McDonald’s. “People were still bringing their trash to the dump every Saturday morning,” remembers Burns.

As the population continued to explode in the small town of Hudson, the Highway Department evolved. Plow trucks would increase in number. From 7 trucks, there quickly became a need for 19 trucks.

Some of Burns’ daily operations include working on the town parks, streets, sewers, water systems, traffic lights and solid waste contracts. Burns is responsible for a $4M operating budget.

“I work with an excellent group of 23 guys,” says Burns. He says that his biggest asset is the quality of people employed by the Highway Department. “We have a very small turn-over rate as compared to the other town departments,” says Burns. Burns is also responsible for the interviewing potential employees, and then bringing his recommendation before the Board of Selectmen.

With spring finally in the air, special construction projects and town clean-up efforts are underway at the Highway Department. Some of the major projects that Burns is currently working on include, building two meter pits so that Hudson will have a better handle on where their water is going. He’s also overseeing the replacement of sewers, building sidewalks on Melendy Road, and performing site work for the animal control building.

“As in any position, there are good days and bad. Fortunately, the good outnumber the bad,” says Burns.

Burns says he’s thankful for his right hand man, Jess Forrence. Forrence is the Highway Supervisor, who has been with the department for 16 years. “I’d be lost without him,” says Burns.

Burns presently lives in Hudson, and has a cottage up the Lakes Region, which he hopes to enjoy this summer.