Elizabeth City's new utilities chief says he understands the concerns half of City Council have about his hiring — that he's a white man trying to supervise a mostly black work force; that he's being paid more than he made in his previous job; and that several of his decisions in his previous jobs were controversial.

Paul Fredette also says he understands why four black city councilors ultimately decided to vote against his hiring.

"I think City Council has an obligation to vote their constituency, and they did," he says.

But none of those concerns or criticisms will prevent him from energetically tackling a list of high-priority public works projects once he officially begins work on Feb. 12, Fredette said.

High on the list of priorities will be the paving of Southern Avenue, which was torn up last year for utility line replacements. Also high on the list are an expansion of the city's water sources at the well field site, and overseeing the Charles Creek bridge reconstruction project.

"I met with Mr. Fredette yesterday and provided him a list of items I wanted him to work on the first 90 days," City Manager Rich Olson said Friday.

Fredette, 57, was in town last week to meet with Olson and the work forces of both the public utilities and public works departments. He replaces Eric Weatherly, who in May 2005 became the city's first utilities director in charge of both departments.

Responding to one of the criticisms of his choice to head the departments, Olson said he's "confident (Fredette) will be able to deal with all employees" equally and fairly.

Olson also said he had tried to attract a top-notch African-American candidate for the utilities chief's job but was not successful. In the end, Fredette, a licensed engineer with a background as both a public works director and town manager, was the most qualified applicant for the vacancy, he said.

Olson also acknowledged that there's been some criticism of his decision to pay Fredette $87,000 a year to manage the utilities and public works departments. Fredette previously was paid $50,000 a year to be the town manager in Dorset, Vt. Before then, Claremont, N.H. paid him $85,000 annually to be its public works director.

Asked why the city is paying Fredette $87,000 a year, Olson called that amount "the going price for a public works director who is a registered engineer in North Carolina."

Prior to recommending him to City Council, Olson said the city conducted an extensive background check on Fredette. The review included interviews with colleagues, employees, credit and criminal background checks, drug screenings and a physical.

"The city did have an individual (background checker) who went to Dorset and Claremont and provided me with a written report — which was satisfactory," Olson said.

Still, Fredette has been criticized by several Elizabeth City officials for his handling of several incidents in his previous jobs in Vermont in New Hampshire.

As public works director in Claremont, N.H., Fredette was accused of wasting $200,000 by contracting out management of both the water and sewer plants to a private firm, Aquarion. Previously, a contractor had managed the water plant, while management of the sewer plant was performed by public works employees.

Fredette said the decision worked out well and no public works employees lost their jobs as a result. Still, not everyone in Claremont was happy with the contract.

"One councilor who was voted out of office grandstanded and said it could be done more effectively in-house," Fredette said.

Olson said even if Claremont had lost money by changing the plants' management to a private firm, the final costs of decisions often aren't as cheap as first estimated.

"Look at the cost overruns we've had for projects," Olson said. "It's not uncommon with inflation."

Fredette also was accused, in May 2005, of wasting taxpayer money when, after the holding company for Claremont's motor vehicle fleet was changed, he approved a refinancing plan for longer periods of time at a higher interest rate.

When Claremont officials subsequently learned that a sales representative for the holding company was sent to a trade show that Fredette attended, the town reluctantly paid for the salesman's lodging but told Fredette that the payment was inappropriate.

Olson said he heard of that report, and asked Fredette about it.

"You have to remember that in municipal governments, there is a series of checks and balances," Olson said. "I think he was public works and planning director at that time. In most cases, (public works and planning directors) recommend (expenses for reimbursement) to the city manager or finance director. There were multiple checks and balances. (Responsibility for the payment) can't solely rest on him."

Olson also responded to questions about why Fredette didn't seek another contract as the town manager of Dorset, Vt. when his current one was set to expire in December 2006. According to Fredette's critics, the town's road crew workers weren't unhappy to see Fredette go.

Olson said he checked that report out as well.

"Every state is a little bit different in how they handle employment contracts with managers," he said. "Some (contracts) have fixed-terms, and others are indefinite. It's not uncommon for a community or a professional to renew or end contracts."