Walter L. McDermott, who has literally been doing a lot of the heavy lifting in town, is retiring after 40 years of service. It is rumored that he can bring a fire truck back from the dead and do more with a coat hanger and duct tape than most men can do with a garage full of tools.
Walter “Buddy’ McDermott was the superintendent of operations for Milton. He was responsible for the maintenance and repair of all fire apparatus, police cruisers, and public works vehicles. Marion McEttrick, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen said, “He can fix anything . . . He has enabled us, for the last forty years, to do many of our mechanical repairs in-house, and has saved us untold amounts of money by doing this.”
He succeeded his father, also a career town employee, who was the Senior Heavy Equipment Operator in the Highway Department. Some kids play sports, others join a band, McDermott drove a bulldozer. According to Joe Lynch, Director of the DPW, “ Buddy McDermott literally grew up in Public Works. As a youngster, Buddy would often tag along with his father . . . where learned how to operate bull dozers, and loaders, and developed skills that he would use over the rest of his career. Buddy retires with forty years on the books, but in actuality he has closer to 55 years of dedication to the department. “ What he also learned from his father was a committment to the town. Past Town Administrator, John Cronin notes, “Buddy McDermott has been an exemplary employee from a family well-known for community service. His grand-uncle was Milton Chief of Police and his first cousin, Attorney Francis P. McDermott, served the Town as the long time Chairman of the Personnel Board. The people of Milton are most grateful for his loyal and talented career with the Town.”
Most of us in town do not know Mr. McDermott, who for several decades made sure that the police and firemen were able to get where they needed to be and that roads were clear and safe after storms (and more) but we have all benefited from his knowledge, skill, and committment. McEttrick said, “He is truly irreplaceable” and Lynch, “[his] knowledge, dedication, and ingenuity will be sorely missed.” Both officials wish him a long, happy, and wonderful retirement. Thank you Mr. McDermott.
Ms. McEttrick also noted that Fred Reader is retiring after 12 years of quiet, dedicated service to the engineering department and Paul Hurley, sadly for the town (but good for him!) is moving on to head up the Public Works Department in another town. On behalf of the town, she expressed gratitude for their service and best wishes for Hurley’s future success and Reader’s happy retirement.