WHATELY — The town’s new highway and buildings superintendent is settling into his new role, as his department prepares for a few major projects in the coming years.

Garrett Barry, 52, started in his new position at the end of June following nine years as Hatfield’s Department of Public Works director and more than 30 years of general labor. The Hatfield native and Whately resident of 15 years said he’s excited to take on the new position, as it will be a little bit of a change of pace from his last role, which required him to oversee the water, wastewater and highway departments. The Selectboard appointed Barry on May 28 with a yearly salary of $82,112.

“I’m happy to be here,” Barry said in an interview Friday at the Whately Highway Garage on Christian Lane. “It’s the same business, you’ve just got to kind of do things a little bit different here.”

Barry has big boots to fill at the Whately Highway Department as he is following in the footsteps of Keith Bardwell, who retired this summer after 40 years at the helm. Bardwell, who was 22 when he first began his position as superintendent, said he was ready to take a step back. With a strong track record of work at the department, Barry said he plans to follow Bardwell’s model.

“I’m going to continue his legacy,” Barry said. “It worked for 40 years, so I’m going to tread very lightly on changing stuff right now.”

As he gets settled in, there are two major projects on the horizon for the Whately Highway Department.

The first is exploring the possibility of a new Highway Garage, as the current one on Christian Lane is decades old and is showing its age.

The other will be in partnership with the state Department of Transportation, which, in 2026, will kick off an estimated $12.4 million rehabilitation of Haydenville Road from Conway Road to the Williamsburg town line. That project will consist of reclaiming the existing paved surface, installing a new drainage system near the Northampton Reservoir, new pavement markings, and guardrail repairs and replacements.

Barry added that he is interested in hearing feedback from residents.

“Let everybody chirp in and see what you’ve got,” Barry said. “I want to hear your side.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.