Ending a year-long search for a unicorn candidate to guide Rockland through complex federal mandates, the Sewer Commission tapped Hillary Wait as the town’s new Sewer Superintendent during Wednesday’s meeting. Wait, who currently serves as the Stormwater Manager in Braintree, emerged as the board's top choice to manage the town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility as it navigates a rigorous EPA administrative order and multi-million dollar plant upgrades.

Wait presented a comprehensive eight-point strategic plan for her first year, emphasizing fiscal efficiency and clear communication with a public that has grown weary of sewer moratoriums and infrastructure costs. A Boston University graduate with a background in environmental economics, Wait told the commission she views utility management through the lens of financial worth. I hate spending money on fines when it could improve the system, Wait said, noting her experience handling EPA enforcement and managing a $1.6 million budget in Braintree. While she acknowledged she is not a civil engineer by trade, she described herself as engineering-adjacent, telling the board, I talk to and trust engineers, but I've been around the block enough to know when something doesn't smell right.

Chair Michael Mullen noted that the town has struggled for twelve months to find a leader who could balance day-to-day operations with high-level project management. We've been on an evolution to rebuild credibility regarding our true needs, Mullen said, adding that Wait appears to check every box for the role. We took for granted that everything worked until the EPA issues came into full picture seven or eight years ago. We have a moratorium and all of this affects economics on a macro level.

During the interview, Member Walter Simmons questioned Wait on her familiarity with development permits and engineering plans. Wait responded that her current role involves providing town sign-offs for stormwater permitting and reviewing site plans. One staff member asked how Wait would translate technical data for the general public, prompting Wait to describe a previous project where she commissioned an artist to create visual cutaways of underground systems to educate residents. I enjoy bridging the gap between technical details and what is explainable to anyone at a town meeting, Wait said. It starts with empathy—if someone has a sewer backup, you start by saying, 'I'm so sorry that's happening.'

Motion Made by M. Mullen to Hire Hillary Wait as Superintendent pending successful salary negotiations. Motion Passed (2-0).

The commission also addressed an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by resident Mary Parsons on January 20. While the specific details of the alleged violation were not debated in depth, the board moved quickly to involve legal expertise. The motion would be to request that town counsel draft a response to the open meeting law complaint and to present that proposed response back to our board, Simmons said. Mullen noted the town has a 14-day window to formalize its response. Motion Made by W. Simmons to request that town counsel draft a response to the open meeting law complaint and to present that proposed response back to our board. Motion Passed (2-0).

Looking ahead, the board discussed upcoming presentations for the Shingle Mill and Cary Street projects, with the latter involving fee schedules and developmental hookups. The commission entered into an executive session at 6:21 PM to begin contract negotiations with Wait, a move that follows a broader town trend of securing long-term administrative leadership despite a projected $2 million municipal deficit that has triggered hiring freezes in other departments. Motion Made by W. Simmons to go into executive session for Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21, Purpose Number Two, to conduct contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Motion Passed (2-0).