Capital Strategic Solutions Senior Project Manager Ken Calder has been hard at work in Plainville, Massachusetts, serving as the Interim Director and Operations Manager of Public Works. Ken was able to jump into the department and provide essential oversight and direction during this time of transition.
As more and more career public servants retire, experience and expertise become even more essential. Having served in Public Work’s departments for years, Ken was able to ensure the continuity of services, tackle ongoing and emergent projects, and improve departmental workflows and processes.
Ken’s first order of business in Plainville was supporting the department staff. Ken led the recruitment process in the department, filling seven staff vacancies, and a student co-op position. This ensured that the department was fully staffed to complete projects and serve the community.
Ken used his institutional knowledge to develop a Basic Snow and Ice Operations Training program to ensure that drivers, operators, and administration were trained in the best practices. The result of this training program was a significant reduction in materials spread on the town’s roadways, saving the town money in deicing materials while maintaining safe roadways. He did the same for an Emergency Response Plan review training which shared institutional knowledge across the staff and improved department resiliency.
“Capital Strategic Solutions gave Plainville the steady hand and proven expertise we needed during a pivotal leadership transition. Ken Calder stepped in seamlessly—filling key vacancies, modernizing our snow and ice operations, and guiding multiple infrastructure projects to completion, from town-wide line striping to an MS4 drainage upgrade that now doubles as our first pollinator garden. His collaborative approach strengthened our team and positioned the department for long-term success. Plainville is grateful for CSS’s partnership and for Ken’s dedication to serving our residents.”
Brian Noble, Town Administrator, Town of Plainville
In addition, Ken was able to tackle dozens of projects across the department during his tenure. He completed a town wide traffic line striping program, including the creation of an application route as guidance for the Highway Supervisor and the contractor. He also oversaw the completion of a town wide catch basin cleaning, and the disposal of 980 tons of legacy debris on department property.
With assistance from additional CSS team members, including Senior Project Managers Trish Bernard and John DeLuca, Ken finished a long-standing Fleet Inventory, and followed through on the purchase and procurement of equipment. He updated the fleet’s two-way radios to improve communication, and completed a revamp of the fleet washing area to ensure the equipment could be properly maintained, saving the town money on replacement and repairs in the long run.
Perhaps Ken’s most visible accomplishment for the community was leading the completion of an MS4 drainage project on Havard Street, where he and department staff turned an eyesore into a new community asset with the creation of the town’s first pollinator garden.
“I’m honored by what our team accomplished in Plainville. With the unwavering support of Town Administration, we addressed tough challenges and delivered meaningful improvements. It is gratifying to hand the department to William O’Rourke, P.E., knowing it is in a stronger and better position.”
Ken Calder, Senior Project Manager, Capital Strategic Solutions
“Ken’s leadership in Plainville exemplifies the value that seasoned public-works professionals bring to a community in transition. By stabilizing staffing, modernizing operations, and delivering visible improvements—from safer winter roads to the town’s first pollinator garden—he left Plainville stronger, more efficient, and better prepared for the future. We’re incredibly proud of Ken’s dedication and the lasting impact he and our CSS team have made for the residents of Plainville.”
Nichol Figueiredo, CEO, Capital Strategic Solutions
Ken’s creative problem solving and collaborative nature has served not only the department but the entire Plainville community over these past few months. We are so proud of Ken and his work. He has done a fantastic job!
At Capital Strategic Solutions, we know all too well that institutional knowledge is hard to come by, and all it takes is one vacancy to throw a department into uncertainty. As more and more career professionals retire, and recruitment becomes more competitive, communities need a hand in providing coverage while they navigate the labor market.
Our team of Municipal Experts—with decades of experience serving in cities and towns—can step in and provide interim services to steer your department through transition. During that time, our HR Support Services can assist with advertising open positions, vetting applicants, and coordinating interviews.