Knille and Molinaro discuss DPW road work (file photo)
POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County’s Public Works commissioner
for the last three years, Noel Knille, is resigning to take a top level
job at a university in Egypt.
County Executive Marcus Molinaro announced on Monday that she will leave
her post on October 21 to assume the position as associate vice president
for a “major university” in Egypt.
Molinaro will appoint Deputy Commissioner Robert Balkind, the deputy commissioner,
as commissioner when Knille leaves office. He served as acting commissioner
for 14 months until Knille was named to the top job.
Balkind joined county government in 2004 as assistant director for the
DPW’s Engineering Division, following more than a decade with the
State Department of Transportation and the private sector.
“Bob is a respected leader who understands the operations of the
department inside and out and is well respected throughout the community,”
said the county executive. “He will ensure the positive momentum
of the past several years continues and we continue to move Dutchess County
forward.”
Balkind said among the projects in which he will be involved are the design
and construction of the Dutchess County Justice and Transition center
and the development of a new parks master plan.
The county legislature must confirm his appointment, which is expected
to be nothing more than a formality.
