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City of Port Alberni rehires Ken Watson

Former city manager back for short term
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Ken Watson is the former engineer and city manager for the City of Port Alberni. He served as special projects coordinator in 2016 prior to his retirement. STIRLING IMAGES PHOTO

The City of Port Alberni has rehired Ken Watson as major projects coordinator on a short-term basis.

Watson, a professional engineer (P.Eng), will be responsible specifically for advising on two of the city’s major infrastructure projects within the community. These projects include the city’s wastewater treatment plant and lagoon upgrades – one of the largest infrastructure projects in Port Alberni’s history – and the deferral request for source water filtration with Island Health.

Watson served with the city for 25 years, splitting his time between city engineer and city manager. The city manager’s position was eliminated following the Judy Rogers organizational structure review undertaken by the city in 2015.

In January 2016 Watson was put into a newly created position, major projects advisor, and no longer had an office at city hall.

READ: City begins dredging new sewage lagoon

Just over a year ago, when his term with the City of Port Alberni was up, Watson began working with the District of Saanich in the South Island as their director of legislative services.

“In terms of scope, both the wastewater treatment upgrades and the city’s efforts to receive a deferral on source water filtration are significant projects,” city CAO Tim Pley said in a statement.

“I am extremely pleased that Ken will be bringing his expertise and intimate knowledge of City of Port Alberni infrastructure to the team.”

Watson started his short-term role with the city on Jan. 15, 2018.