Jefferson’s first ever public works director is settling in nicely since officially starting January 4th.

Dave Morlan is no stranger to public works. He moved back to Jefferson in 1985 where he worked for Parker Industries. He then worked as seasonal help with the city from 1990 to 1991. He was then hired full time as a streets and sanitation worker in July of 1992 until 1996.

Morlan says since high school, he always had an interest in law enforcement and became a reserve officer in 1994 and was hired as a full time patrol officer in 1996. In 2001, he was promoted to sergeant and then captain in 2003. In 2011, he was appointed as police chief.

However, after 19 years in law enforcement, Morlan wanted a new challenge and was hired as the public works director last month. He says he’ll miss working with everyone in law enforcement, but the transition to his new position has been smooth.

“You know actually there’s several people that are still working for the City in the different departments that were there back when I was working there. So there are some friendships there that have carried over and of course there’s some new people that I’m working with too. But it’s going well, things are going good.”

Morlan’s main responsibilities as public works director is coordinating the different city departments, looking for better efficiencies within the departments and utilizing cross-over help on projects.