by Heidi Gómez ·
Friday, January 23, 2026
Eric Ryder, Department of Public Works Director. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The new Harvard Department of Public Works (DPW) director, Eric Ryder, had been on the job all of nine days at the time of this interview. He is the third director in the past two years, or the fourth, when counting the interim director who served for about six months. “Things have been going well,” Ryder said. “I’m adapting and hitting the ground running.”
The Department of Public Works, Ryder said, “touch[es] the residents in every way every single day.” He cited the DPW’s range of activities, including road work, clearing snow from roads and sidewalks, maintaining the athletic fields, providing water services to those residents who receive town water, and cemetery burials. “My job is to make sure we are providing the best quality services for the residents,” he noted.
Professionally, Ryder has been involved in the field of public works and municipal government since 1993. Following high school, he began work at the Lowell Regional Water Utility, where he was involved with water treatment and distribution for over 20 years. He rose through the ranks there, from maintenance mechanic to superintendent of maintenance. He then became street superintendent in Nashua, New Hampshire, for more than two years, where he was responsible for roadways and storm-water systems. He came to Harvard after almost 10 years as director of public works in Hudson. Ryder felt his experiences were a good fit with Harvard’s needs, including his background in water and the town’s past issues with PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that accumulate in the environment. Ryder believed it was a great opportunity to work in a smaller town where he might have more of an impact.
One goal Ryder has for his first year is to get to know the staff better to help them become even more successful. “It looks like Harvard has a qualified DPW staff,” he said. Staff has shown up early for the winter events thus far to ensure that the roads are safe. He would like to know each staff member’s abilities and strengths to better understand what they may need in terms of further training or additional equipment. He wants to increase overall efficiency, while ensuring safety on the job. He noted that a new DPW building with better facilities could also increase efficiency.
However, after being on the job for just over a week, Ryder was hesitant to identify any new technology or procedures he might want to introduce. Similarly, he did not name challenges facing the DPW today. He said it would “take a while” to evaluate current processes and understand how things work before making any changes. “I’m not one to make change just to make change. [But] if there is a more safe way to do something, then that is the best approach,” he said.
Ryder said that, in his experience, it takes “about a year to get things under your belt because you want to get all your seasons.” Work during the winter often involves snow removal. Ryder said he takes a proactive approach to it and that “preparation is everything.” He ensures the crew is out prior to the storm, treating roads. Main roadways are cleared first, then secondary streets. When the snowstorm has passed, DPW can move into a final cleanup and treatment of the roads. Then they get ready for the next storm. Winter operations also include patching potholes that form when water refreezes.
Early spring brings field maintenance. The athletic fields must be mowed, fertilized, seeded, and striped. The lighting must work. The fields must be playable and in good condition. During the fall, there is leaf and brush removal, and mowing to ensure that the roads are clear. Sometime between winter and fall, there is what Ryder calls “construction season” during which other roadwork is performed, such as repairing catch basins and repairing potholes on a more permanent basis.
Ryder noted the critical role of communication and described himself as “a big communicator.” He said that he can communicate with residents through the town’s DPW web page and potentially through social media. These messages could keep residents apprised of ongoing roadwork or projects. He also would like to work with all town departments, such as talking with the school superintendent about potential school closures and with the recreation department regarding athletic field maintenance.
When asked about the role of the DPW in providing access for people with disabilities, Ryder gave examples again from winter operations. He described the need to shovel and treat the sidewalks and wheelchair ramps to ensure clear access for wheelchair users and able-bodied pedestrians. Clearing snow from handicap parking spaces is also important.
Ryder is a longtime resident of Tewksbury, where he has lived for the past 25 years. He and his wife, Serina, have three sons. Two are in college and one is in high school. Ryder is listed in the Tewksbury town website as vice chair of the select board.