A few passing clouds. Low 58F. Winds light and variable..

A few passing clouds. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.

Chad Ritter recently became the new Angola Street Department commissioner.

Chad Ritter recently became the new Angola Street Department commissioner.

ANGOLA — Angola recently named a new Street Commissioner.

Chad Ritter, who is now leading the crew of 10 people after Doug Anderson retired, is responsible for maintaining the city streets and keeping them clean and safe for the community.

Ritter grew up in Pleasant Lake and graduated from Angola High School, after graduation he decided not to go to college, and was employed in the excavating field before 2001 when he started to work for the city water department as a water operator.

“I was just a water operator in Angola in 2001, until I think 2007,” said Ritter.

He said that in 2007 he went to Waterloo and worked there as a wastewater superintendent. He was responsible for the operations of plants, lift stations, and work on the collection system.

Ritter worked in that position for five years until 2013 when he decided to return to Angola.

“I came back to the water department where I originally started in 2001,” said Ritter.

He said that he worked “basically as a water operator” fixing water breaks and repairing service lines. Ritter said for that position he had state certifications for providing water and wastewater services.

“I have two licenses,” said Ritter.

Six weeks ago, Ritter took over the position of commissioner of the Angola Street Department after longtime Commissioner Anderson retired.

Ritter said he is now responsible for preparing budgets, supervising the workers and preparing jobs for them.

Ritter said that some of the types of work the street department does includes clearing snow and picking up waste, brush, and yard waste, sweeping the streets and running the street sweeper, as well as helping the city with some of the community celebrations such as 4th of July parade, Trine Fest and the Cruise to the Monument car show.

“Basically, any kind of street maintenance that we are capable of doing we do,” said Ritter.

Ritter said although he did not expect particular challenges in a small community, some of the issues that other communities might face with their streets such as potholes are not a problem in the local conditions.

“We are a smaller city, these are not giant challenges. We can get away fairly quick,” said Ritter.

He said that his top priority is providing street safety and ensuring that there are no accidents. Finance budgeting is another important area for Ritter to make sure that there is always enough money to keep the streets well-maintained.

Ritter said that he felt very excited about his promotion, and that he is excited to learn as much as possible about street maintenance.

“It is a great stepping stone, and I am very excited to learn as much as I can and see if I can make things better,” said Ritter.

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