His name is Dwight Rogers, but everyone calls him “Smitty.” He’s worked with the Town of Wellesley for 50 years, clocking in for the first time on Jan. 8, 1975, when he was 21 years old. And today the Water and Sewer Division general foreman was celebrated for his long tenure with a breakfast at the Department of Public Works attended by family, friends, and co-workers.
Just don’t call it a retirement breakfast. No way. Smitty has worked hard every day and has no interest in kicking back. Simply put, he loves his job. What he doesn’t like is the limelight, and didn’t want to be quoted for this story. That’s OK, there were plenty of people willing to weigh in on the consummate professional and workhorse extraordinaire.
Beth Hinchcliffe says those who know him call him “a townie in the absolutely best sense—he was born and grew up here, went to Wellesley High School, married fellow WHS-er Denise Montanari, and (at 71) they still live here in the same neighborhood where he grew up. He loves Wellesley.”
Town executive director Meghan Jop, who has known Smitty since she started working for the town 23 years ago, counts him and his wife Denise as family and say he’s, “One of the nicest, kindest people you’ll ever meet.”
Dave Cohen, DPW director, chimes in, “Congratulations to Smitty on this impressive milestone! It’s my pleasure to recognize Smitty for his 50 years of service, dedication and loyalty to the Town of Wellesley and for his ongoing commitment to ensuring successful operation of our water and sewer systems.”
And Denise, who always keeps it real, says 52 years of marriage with Smitty have “been a true adventure. He always thinks of everyone else but himself. Anyone who needs help, he’s always there.”
Smitty has also been everywhere the water is. A proclamation read by Jop during last night’s Select Board meeting outlined his accomplishments over the years. From his start in 1975, he rose through the ranks to become Wellesley’s water treatment plant operator in 1981. From there he became general foreman in 1988. In every capacity he’s worked in, Smitty has provided front-line supervision, oversight, maintenance, and on-call service for all town water treatment issues. (“Some say he’s never without a wrench in his hands,” Jop said.)
During his tenure as “Clerk of the Works,” Smitty oversaw the construction of three water treatment plants from 1997-1998 at Morses Pond, Longfellow, and Wellesley Ave., and he currently oversees all Town wells including four new ones at the Morses Pond water treatment plant. He was a key contributor to connecting Wellesley to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority in 1988, and was instrumental in upgrading the MWRA Hegarty booster station, increasing the capacity by over one million gallons per day.
Remember the Blizzard of 1978? Smitty does, and he’s the last remaining DPW employee who worked that historic storm. And all the other storms to follow, getting up and out on the roads at 2am to plow whenever needed. He’s even received an award from the Massachusetts Water Works Association as an outstanding water employee.
“He is very humble,” Hinchcliffe said, “but I think it’s really extraordinary, in these times of people moving from town to town and not creating roots, that he is so happy with ‘the privilege’ of working for his hometown and its people.”
“He’s very, very, proud, in a good way,” Denise said.
Humble. Hardworking. Proud. Still waters run deep, indeed, in the soul of Smitty Rogers.
Others in Wellesley we should consider profiling? Let us know: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
Growing up I was a neighbor to Smitty Rogers and we went through school together starting at the Perrin School, the Junior High School, and at the Senior High School. We both eventually came to work at the DPW as young men. Smitty was always a hard worker and was well respected by his peers and even the old timers that were there in the 70’s. Wellesley was a great Town to grow up in and the DPW was, and still is, a great place to work. I am glad to hear that Smitty and Denise are finally taking time away from their lifetime of work and dedication. Congratulations
Smitty….from your fellow Manor Ave alumni
We’re grateful Smitty is staying with the Town for a few more years. He’s one in a million – congratulations to him and to Denise!
This is such a heartwarming story about Smitty who I’ve gotten to know through his devoted wife and soulmate Denise, who I consider a dear friend! You would never hear Smitty talking about himself so many thanks to Denise, Deb Brown, Beth Hinchliffe, Dave Cohen, and others about one of the nicest lifelong residents who we would’ve never known anything about and yet he’s been and continues to be such an important part of our wonderful community that I still call my hometown! Thanks again for sharing a little about this wonderful but shy gentleman who would do anything for anyone, which I consider a rare thing nowadays!
I am so very proud of my brother as I’m sure our parents would be if they were still here
Such a heartwarming story on this cold day. Thank you, Smitty, for your dedication, and thanks, Deborah, for this beautiful profile.