New mayor makes a leadership change at Everett public works

EVERETT — The city of Everett’s public works director, Dave Davis, left his post on Friday.

Mayor Cassie Franklin told staff she wanted to take the department in a new direction.

Davis’ departure came days after a City Council meeting in which two councilmembers questioned a presentation he gave on a massive construction project. The public works center on Cedar Street has safety issues, and the city has been considering tearing it down. The mayor gave orders on Tuesday, her first official day leading the city, for staff to focus on short-term options for the site. She suggested putting public works employees in portables to get them out of the building, which is considered at risk of collapse in an earthquake.

Franklin released a statement about Davis on Saturday night. Paul Kaftanski, the parks director, will serve as interim public works director, she said.

The mayor said she has been meeting with all department directors in her first days on the job.

“This has also been an opportunity to consider any personnel or organizational changes,” she said.

Davis had been with the city for nearly 40 years. The mayor in her statement thanked him for his contributions.