On November 1, the members of the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (CMWRRDD) Committee formed a tentative employment agreement for district executive director with Jeffrey Osuch after two months of contract negotiations with first choice candidate, Michele Bernier, fell through.
“We could not come to terms with Michele,” said Marion Town Administrator Paul Dawson during a follow-up on November 6. “We did move on and we’re working out the final terms with Jeff, but he has accepted.”
Bernier and Osuch both interviewed for the position as two of the three finalists back on August 29, and a 7-1 positive vote resulted in Bernier as top pick and Osuch as runner up.
The committee was optimistic about the prospect of hiring Bernier, with CMWRRDD Committee member (and Marion Selectman) Norm Hills referring to Bernier as a “visionary,” with other committee members concurring.
Osuch is the former Fairhaven executive secretary of 27 years and was also the DPW director for Fairhaven for ten years prior.
Osuch will replace Ray Pickles who was executive director since the district was formed in 1973 until he was fired in February of 2018. Pickles was subsequently accused of defrauding the district and embezzling public funds in a civil suit filed by the district against Pickles, his wife Diane Bondi-Pickles, and former Carver Health Agent Robert Tinkham, Jr.
The next meeting of the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District has not yet been scheduled.
Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District Committee
By Jean Perry