In a memo to city councilors on Aug. 13, Mayor Marc Laredo announced that his administration is restructuring the DPW leadership to address the need for a single agency to oversee sustainability efforts, and that includes integrating the Office of Sustainability into the DPW.

The city’s sustainability efforts have evolved, Laredo wrote, “from a primary focus on reducing Newton’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, to now include ecological stewardship, embodied carbon, waste reduction, and, crucially, preparing Newton for the impacts of a changing climate.”

That means the DPW and sustainability office need to evolve, too, he continued.

The existing DPW deputy commissioner position has been split into two roles: Bernie McDonald will be deputy commissioner of operations, and Waneta Trabert—current director of sustainable materials management—will be promoted to deputy commissioner of sustainability and administration.

Sustainable Materials Management will be a branch within the Sustainability and Materials Management Division, and a new director will be hired to replace Trabert when she starts her new role.

Currently, the city has two co-directors of sustainability: Ann Berwick and Sam Nighman.

Under the restructuring, Nighman will have a newly created position, director of organizational performance.

“In this role, he will work across City government, providing leadership and management support to departments facing organizational, operational, or transitional challenges,” Laredo wrote. “This is an evolution of Sam’s recent work as Acting Deputy Director of Human Resources, where he provided critical support during a challenging transitional period. His next assignment will be supporting DPW through this transition.”

Berwick is leaving the city’s government altogether.

“The legacy she will leave with us is immense—the framework she built for climate action here in Newton and the colleagues she mentored along the way will continue to guide our work,” Laredo’s memo continues. “She will be staying on to assist the team through this transition.” 

The restructuring will use DPW money freed up by unfilled job vacancies.