Riverhead Highway Department has new deputy supe: mechanic Mike Zaleski

Riverhead Highway Department has a new deputy superintendent: longtime department mechanic Michael Zaleski.

Zaleski has worked within the town’s highway department for 22 years, beginning as an automotive equipment operator and working his way up through the ranks. He spent the past six years as the foreman of the department’s repair shop until he was appointed deputy by Highway Superintendent George Woodson. The appointment was formalized last week by resolution of the Riverhead Town Board.

“I’m excited to work with Gio,” Zaleski said. “We think on the same plane: neat, organized, efficient. I just want to continue that.”

Zaleski was honored as the 2013 Riverhead Town employee of the year for his work with the highway department. His now-retired predecessor Mark Gajowski wrote him a letter of nomination for the award.

“[Zaleski] is steadfast, a diligent worker who is always there when needed. He is the guy to go to if you have any problems or need anything. He is punctual, caring and devoted to the things that come close to him: work, family and fun. Mike always goes above and beyond his duty statement, constantly impressing his coworkers and superiors with his ethics and attitude. He is very frugal with the town assets and expenses,” he wrote.

“I worked my way from the ground up,” Zaleski said of his decades of service to the town. “You never think you’ll make it up there when you first start out, you just work, work, work, and now,” he laughs, “we’re here.”