Attridge Reflects on Tenure as Health Director

The career of Marblehead's longtime Health Director, Wayne Attridge, will come to a close today after 34 years spent serving as a town employee and 27 as the head of the local health department.

In honor of his time spent serving the Marblehead community, we wanted to give Wayne the last word. So, before he , 36, of Brewster, who has spent the last six years serving as the Assistant Health and Conservation Agent for the town of Wellfleet, we had 10 final questions for Wayne.

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1. Is there any one accomplishment, project or initiative completed during your tenure as Health Director that you will look back on with particular fondness?

Wayne Attridge: Improving and raising awareness of water quality issues along our coastline.

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2. Your time in office spanned some three decades - how would you say the department has changed during that time? More stream-lined? Fewer employees?

Wayne Attridge: Two words: computer technology. There were no computers when I started and it remains to be a constant challenge for an old school hands-on administrator to keep up with constant change.

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3. Since you began your tenure as Health Director, have you noticed any striking environmental changes to the town? Lobster hatcheries? Water quality?

Wayne Attridge: The most notable change is the keen sense of awareness relating to all aspects of our environment.  The Town is very fortunate to have organizations like Healthlink, Salem Sound Coast Watch, the Marblehead Conservancy, working along with the Town and neighborhood groups on issues in and around Marblehead.

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4. When you took over was there one goal or task you wanted to focus your efforts on? Did you accomplish that goal?

Wayne Attridge: My goal was, and is until Jan. 3, to provide the most efficient and cost-effective Public Health and Solid Waste services.  Yes.

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5. Do you have any plans to serve on town boards, commissions or in any other governmental role?

Wayne Attridge: Maybe a volunteer position at some point.

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6. Were there any projects or initiatives that fell through during your tenure that you wish you could have completed?

Wayne Attridge: I presented many options in many forums, none more important than Annual Town Meeting. I may not personally agree with some of the actions taken but I always administered the will of the voters at Town Meeting.

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7. If you had one message to the people you've worked with over the years, what would it be?

Wayne Attridge: Thank you for your dedication, guidance, support, assistance, and most importantly your friendship.

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8. The department still has several major projects pending, what initiative or project would you like to have seen completed during your time as director?

Wayne Attridge: There are two. The ongoing assessment of our stormwater system and its effect on our coastal recreation areas.  The second would be the Transfer Station and Landfill Capping project.

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9. If you had one piece of advice for the new Health Director, what would it be?

Wayne Attridge: Be patient, accessible, friendly, tolerant, amenable to change, and use common sense.

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10. What are your plans for post-retirement?

Wayne Attridge: Exercise and lose weight.