MONTAGUE — Pending contract negotiations, Greenfield’s deputy director of public works will be moving into the top post in Montague.

On Monday, the Selectboard voted unanimously to offer the Department of Public Works superintendent position to South Deerfield resident Sam Urkiel after members of the DPW Superintendent Hiring Committee narrowed down the search to Urkiel and one other finalist.

According to Urkiel’s resume, he has been serving in a similar role as deputy director of the Greenfield Department of Public Works since being promoted from field superintendent in March 2022. Urkiel has served in prior management, engineering and technician roles in Greenfield and around New England. He graduated from Greenfield Community College with an associate’s degree in engineering science in May 2013.

During Monday’s meeting, members of the Selectboard expressed their appreciation for the experience Urkiel brings to the table, along with his ties to the county.

Selectboard Chair Rich Kuklewicz said there were 10 applicants for the position, and six were interviewed by the hiring committee. Urkiel and Guilford, Vermont resident Hannah Tustin were named as the two finalists.

“[Urkiel] has a real depth of experience in the areas that we were looking for in road construction and employee management,” Kuklewicz said, adding that Urkiel’s connections to the area, along with his years of experience, “brought him out as the top candidate that the [hiring] committee recommended.”

Urkiel’s experience was a key factor in the Selectboard’s decision to offer him the job, along with his personality, Kuklewicz added. Upcoming infrastructure projects in Montague — such as the planned demolition and site restoration of the former Strathmore mill complex — also influenced the decision, given Urkiel’s background in road construction.

“Some of the strengths that Sam had, the committee felt were a little more in line with what we were looking for,” Kuklewicz noted.

Should contract negotiations prove successful, Urkiel will be taking over the superintendent position formerly held by Tom Bergeron, who announced in April his plans to retire after working at the Montague DPW for more than 20 years. Bergeron served on the DPW Superintendent Hiring Committee as a non-voting member, helping to select his successor.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.