Town of Belmont Employee Spotlight: Third-Generation Department of Public Works Assistant Director / Highway Division Manager

BELMONT — Town Administrator Patrice Garvin would like to recognize Belmont Department of Public Works Assistant Director / Highway Division Manager Michael Santoro, who is a third-generation town employee, for his decades of dedication and service to the Town of Belmont. 

Santoro, a Belmont native, has been an employee for the Town of Belmont for 46 years serving in various capacities, including 42 years as a full-time employee and four years as a seasonal worker. 

Santoro’s grandfather, Bastiano Santoro served as a Belmont town employee for 25 years, working for the highway division. Santoro’s father, Dominic Santoro followed a similar career path, serving as a Belmont town employee for 32 years, working for the highway division before becoming a Belmont firefighter. 

Santoro currently serves as the Belmont Department of Public Works (DPW) Assistant Director where he provides administrative services to 15 major Public Works programs. In his role, he supports work on policy, planning, administration, budget, capital equipment and projects, contracts, personnel, customer service, and the allocation and coordination of resources. 

Additionally, Santoro currently serves as the DPW’s Highway Division Manager where he oversees day-to-day operations, including maintenance of streets, sewers, stormwater drains and vehicles.

“Much of the work our DPW does for our residents is a credit to Michael’s longstanding commitment to the Town of Belmont and ensuring that work gets done,” said Town Administrator Garvin. “Michael has been a huge asset for a long time, and we’re thankful for his service to the community.”

Santoro began working for the Town of Belmont in 1977, serving as a seasonal employee with the highway department while attending Belmont High School. After graduating, Santoro began working for the Town of Belmont full-time, serving in various capacities including laborer, truck driver, special heavy equipment operator, working foreman and Assistant Highway Superintendent before being appointed to his current roles of Assistant DPW Director and Highway Division Manager in 2004. 

Throughout his career, he has played a key role in developing the Public Works operation in Belmont and assisted in the reorganization of both the Belmont Facilities Department and the Belmont Recreation Department. 

Santoro is a member of the Norfolk, Bristol, Middlesex Highway Association and a Lifetime Member of the American Public Works Association. 

“I have been extremely fortunate to work for the Town of Belmont for the past 46 years,” Santoro said. “My accomplishments have been made possible with the unwavering support from the community and the hardworking and dedicated staff members I work with every day.” 

Santoro and his wife, Susan have been married for 38 years. They are the proud parents of four children and the proud grandparents of two children. 

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