Public works has always meant more than maintenance and infrastructure for Dan Maurer. It has always been about serving his community—a place where he has called home for most of his life. 

Maurer, who grew up in Sudbury and has spent his life in the MetroWest area, joined the Ashland Department of Public Works in 2016 after building a long career in both the private sector and municipal government. Today, he helps oversee a wide range of projects that keep the town running smoothly.

His professional career began as an auto mechanic and later led to Maurer owning and operating a small landscape construction and maintenance business. His company serviced more than 100 commercial properties, providing everything from lawn care and drainage work to excavation, grading, and winter snow removal. Looking back, he says those years taught him valuable lessons about business and working with people.

When he and his wife, Allison, decided to start a family, Maurer transitioned to municipal service, joining the Town of Framingham's Water Department in 2006. Starting as a light equipment operator, he worked his way up to Operations Manager while earning water distribution and treatment licenses through extensive training.

"Ashland was the right next step," Maurer said. "The smaller department creates a much more personal environment where everyone works closely together."

No two days are the same at the Ashland DPW. Maurer's mornings typically begin around 6:30 a.m. with emails, then shift to whatever issue demands immediate attention. One day may involve responding to a communications issue at the water treatment plant or addressing a resident's concern, while another may focus on reviewing plans for capital improvement projects.

Current work includes sidewalk improvements along Cedar Street and High Street, repairs to the ozone system at the water treatment plant, upgrades to the Fountain and Union Street intersection, and responding to water main breaks. Just last week, the Water Department repaired three separate water main breaks, highlighting the variety and urgency of the work the team handles every day.

For Maurer, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the direct impact of those efforts. "Knowing that what we're doing improves residents' quality of life is incredibly satisfying," he said. "Whether it's completing a project or restoring water service after a break, you can immediately see the difference your work makes."

Having lived in MetroWest for decades, Maurer has watched Ashland evolve while maintaining the close-knit character that drew him to the community. He believes the town's size allows the DPW to provide responsive service while building strong relationships with residents.

One experience that stands out came during this past winter's largest snowstorm, when a water main broke on Cedar Street. While crews were plowing roads, they were also digging and repairing the water main in freezing, blizzard conditions.

"It becomes more than just a job when you work side by side with people through storms, holidays, birthdays, and long nights," Maurer said. "The dedication of Town employees across every department is remarkable, and I'm proud to be part of that team."

Maurer credits the Ashland DPW's success to its experienced employees, many of whom have served the town for 10, 15, or even 20 years. That commitment, he says, allows the department to continue providing the dependable services residents rely on every day.

From living in Sudbury to Framingham, and now Holliston, where he and his wife have raised his two daughters, Taylor and Rylee, and of course, Marley, their boxer, Maurer never would’ve believed that he would know Ashland as well as he does today. However, that knowledge has been a staple of Dan’s life for so long now that he is the perfect fit to serve the Ashland community.