When you hear the words “public works” what comes to mind?  Is it snow plows, sewer repair, street sweeping or garbage collecting?  In the City of Perry, any of those answers would be correct, along with several other things the local department is responsible for.

Public Works Director Jack Butler says as one of the City’s largest departments, they handle more than a lot of people may think.

“We do all the pothole and street maintenance.  If somebody has a sewer line issue they hire a plumber but then we come in and bust out the street and we put it back.  We take care of all the sanitary and the storm sewers.  On the garbage (and recycling) side of it, we have four full time garbage guys and we have a residential route and a commercial route.  We help everybody, so if somebody needs something we typically have the equipment and the man power to come help.”

Perry public works is made up of seven full time employees who have been with the department for a combined 109 years.