Even after 40 years with Bel Air’s Department of Public Works, Operations Chief Bryan Mullaney is learning new things on the job.
“You’re always learning new things, because you’re always doing so much [that’s] different,” said Bryan, who marked his 40th anniversary with DPW earlier this month and recounted his experiences during an interview at the agency’s Churchville Road headquarters.
Bryan's family moved to Bel Air when he was a child, and he graduated from Bel Air High School in 1978. After high school, he spent several years working at the General Motors plant in Baltimore. Bryan had an offer to move to another GM plant in Louisiana after workers were laid off at the Baltimore facility, but he declined.
He did “odd jobs here and there” and applied to the Bel Air DPW when he saw the Town was hiring. Bryan joined the Department in August of 1983 as a Laborer. He made $3.35 per hour at the time, working in areas such as construction, road maintenance and sanitation.
“It was physical work, but we did so many different things,” Bryan recalled. “You’re not doing the same exact thing every day.”
Later on, he worked in construction and as an Equipment Operator. He was promoted to General Foreman in June of 1995, a title that was changed to Operations Chief in January of 1997.
“It’s a good job, good benefits,” he said of his time with DPW. “I enjoy the people I work with; I enjoy helping others.”
As Operations Chief, Bryan is responsible for supervising the day-to-day field operations of DPW. Employees under his supervision work in areas including construction, sanitation, sewers and the vehicle maintenance shop.
“They’re excellent employees, all of them,” he said. “They’re the ones that make my job easier.”
Bryan noted how the Town has changed over four decades, with significant commercial and residential growth. He also took note of how staffing community events in Town has become a larger part of DPW’s workload over the years.
Public Works staff are on hand at events such as July 4 festivities, First Fridays and the Maryland State BBQ Bash. They are responsible for setting up and taking down tents, putting out trash and recycling bins, putting up barricades for road closures, plus cleaning during and after the event.
Such events “couldn’t happen without Public Works’ support,” as well as the efforts of the Bel Air Police Department, Bryan said.
Bryan also works with his wife, Chrissy, at DPW. She has been with the Department for 23 years, currently serving as Building Permits Clerk and an Administrative Secretary. The couple has six children, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
“I love working for the town,” Chrissy said. “It’s like family here [at DPW], it really is.”
Bryan praised the Town of Bel Air for how it supports employees with good benefits, a pension, plus uniforms, equipment and safety gear.
He noted that “you won’t get rich,” but “you’ll always be taken care of” when working for the Town.
Contact Media and Public Relations Specialist David Anderson at 410--6883020 or danderson@belairmd.org.