Batavia gets new public works head

Batavia hired a new public works director Monday night.

Gary Holm, who last worked as public works director in Wood Dale, will start June 16.

"We're really happy to have Gary here," City Administrator Bill McGrath said. "He really impressed us."

He replaces Gary Larsen, who was the city's public works director for 34 years. Larsen retired in October.

Holm will make $107,519 a year in the position.

Mayor Jeff Schielke said there had been "some concern" about Holm's lack of experience with municipal electrical utilities, but that the director position was mostly managerial. Holm will be take classes and attend conferences to get a better understanding of the city's electric utility, McGrath said.

"Given the diversity of our public works department, we're hard-pressed to find someone who fits everything on the bill, and he's got a lot of work to do to come up to speed," said Alderman Jim Volk. "But I do have great hopes for the future."

Holm, who lives in Oswego, also served as Lockport's city engineer for five years.

"I very much look forward to serving the citizens of Batavia," he said after being appointed Monday. "I love this community."