Streets superintendent retires, Metzler takes over position

Posted 2/6/20

After 25 years with the City of Powell, Streets Superintendent/Director of Public Works Gary Butts has retired. Andy Metzler has taken over the streets superintendent position while Ben Hubbard will …

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Streets superintendent retires, Metzler takes over position

Andy Metzler took over as Powell’s streets superintendent after Gary Butts retired. Metzler is a Powell native and has been with the city for 17 years.
Andy Metzler took over as Powell’s streets superintendent after Gary Butts retired. Metzler is a Powell native and has been with the city for 17 years.
Tribune photo by Kevin Killough
Posted

After 25 years with the City of Powell, Streets Superintendent/Director of Public Works Gary Butts has retired. Andy Metzler has taken over the streets superintendent position while Ben Hubbard will assume the duties of director of public works.

Butts had a lot of praise for Metzler’s capabilities.

“With Andy now as the streets superintendent, the department is in good hands,” he said.

Butts said Metzler has been deeply involved in all aspects of department operations, from setting goals to planning how to meet them.

Metzler was born and raised in Powell, and has been with the city for more than 17 years. He said what got him into the field was that, 20 years ago when he was starting a family, you worked anywhere that would pay the bills.

“I was lucky to land at the city when I did,” Metzler said.

He said the thing he likes most about the work is that it’s never the same thing every day. And the biggest challenge the department faces as he assumes the superintendent position is that there will always be more to get done than the city has money for.

Butts called the department the “working backbone of the city.” Besides streets, it maintains the alleys and many special projects.

Butts took the position in May 1994. The purpose of the city’s equipment has more or less stayed the same, but the technology in the newer equipment has “vastly improved,” he said. As as result, the jobs get done quicker and more efficiently.

Butts said materials have also seen improvements over the years, which produces a better product in most cases.

“At times, the older tried and true methods are still the best for what is needed,” he said.

In his time with the city, Butts said it’s been proactive in incorporating techniques, equipment and materials that will prolong the life of streets and infrastructure.

“As the City continues to grow I am sure they will continue this practice,” he said.

Butts also expressed gratitude for the people he worked with over the years, saying current and former members of the council should be “commended for looking out for the city and its needs.”

The director of public works oversees the airport, Aquatic Center, building official, engineering services, Parks Department, Sanitation Department, Streets Department, and the Water/Wastewater Department.

City Administrator Zack Thorington said the city has never had a full-time director of public works. As a matter of efficiency, he said, they use a current staff member to fill the director position.

“This role helps balance staffing and projects, and Ben [Hubbard] was a good fit, with his building/construction experience, grants and contract experience, and his engineering degree,” Thorington said.

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