Norwalk announces new directors

NORWALK — The city of Norwalk has a new finance director and director of public works. During Tuesday's city council meeting, council president Steve Euton announced Sandi Weltlin as the new finance director and Mayor Dave Light announced Aaron Osborn will be the new director of public works. Weltlin has been acting finance director since January 2020 when former director Michelle Reeder resigned. Diane Eschen, finance director before Reeder, came out of retirement to assist Weltlin throughout the year. Osborn has been the assistant superintendent of general services and the interim director of public works since September when the previous director of public works, Wally Ritchie, was let go. Council's employee review committee has worked trying to find a new finance director for more than a year, utilizing a recruiting firm and PRADCO employment testing. Unable to find a suitable candidate, the committee started the process over in May and adjusted the city's law concerning hiring. Euton thanked the committee for all its hard work during the search and hiring process. He also thanked law director Stu O'Hara for his assistance and support. "It has taken a while to get there but we're very happy with how the process went and how a selection was made," Euton said. "Words are not enough to say thank you." Euton said he's looking forward to moving on and "getting things a bit more stable." Euton also thanked Eschen for all her assistance in the past year. "Congratulations to the committee and to Sandi for taking this position. She's been great to work with, especially during the last year when she's been under so much pressure," Light said. Osborn has been with the city for 22 years and Light said he "was able to twist his arm" for him to accept the position of director of public works. "Aaron has graciously accepted the full-time position of director of public works as of (Monday)," Light said. "It's been great to work with you, you know a great deal about the city." Osborn said he was looking forward to continuing his work with council and the residents of Norwalk.