A Hillsborough Township Public Works Department employee was honored at a December committee meeting for having reached various achievements this past year.
Dan Davenport, an employee of the Hillsborough Public Works Department and current Assistant Supervisor, was recognized at a Dec. 17 Hillsborough Township Committee meeting.
Davenport was awarded the “Richard Rohrbach Public Works Leader of the Year” award, which presented by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Public Works Association. This award is given to a public works official who is dedicated to public service, inspires excellence and displays outstanding achievements.
Township officials said Davenport was nominated for his creative and strategic process improvement solution to managing the township’s storm drains. Officials said the township has more than 5,000 storm drains and maintenance, and that repair of it is “a very time-consuming responsibility.”
He created, procured the funding and oversaw the production of a storm drain repair trailer that enables the road crews to repair and maintain the storm basins more quickly and efficiently throughout the township, according to officials.
“The Hillsborough Township Committee recognizes and congratulates Dan Davenport for his outstanding service in the public works department and being awarded the ‘Richard Rohrbach Public Works Leader of the Year,’” Hillsborough Township Mayor Frank DelCore said in a statement.
During his career, officials said Davenport has shown a commitment to bettering the township through his efforts to increase productivity and efficiencies throughout the public works department.
Following a proclamation reading from DelCore, he expressed his congratulations to Davenport for the honor, as well as commented on the significance of his service to community.
“We are very proud to have such outstanding employees as [Davenport],” DelCore said. “We recognize the great work that they do. We all know how great Hillsborough is, but it’s nice when other organizations recognize the great work of our employees.”
The public works department operates and maintains the infrastructure of the township’s 250-plus miles of roadway, maintains all municipal grounds and buildings and township open space. The department also works closely with the police department in monitoring road and safety conditions in the township, and responds to emergencies as needed.
Public works oversees the “Annual Spring Clean Up,” operates and staffs the township reclamation/disposal center and the fall leaf collection as well. The public works garage also maintains/repairs all township-owned vehicles and equipment.
After DelCore commented on Davenport’s successes throughout his tenure in the department, Davenport noted multiple people he wanted to acknowledge for his efforts as well as what the honor meant to him.
“I would like to thank my director of public works, Richard Resavy. He inspired me to be the leader that I am and had the confidence in me to submit my nomination for the award,” Davenport said.
Alongside his expression of thanks to multiple other municipal employees and family, Davenport noted that his success would have not been possible without his colleagues.
“My team of [department of public works] workers who are hardworking, talented individuals,” he said. “They provide a key component to our successful public works department… This award and proclamation may recognize one employee, but it’s really the team who makes this job successful and gratifying to work here in the township.”