Baisley appointed Oneida County public works commissioner

UTICA, N.Y. — The Oneida County Department of Public Works has a new commissioner with the appointment of Matthew Baisley by County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.

Baisley replaces Mark Laramie, who retired on April 19 after serving three years as commissioner and working a total of 33 years in the department.

“I am extremely grateful to County Executive Picente and the board of legislators for granting me this opportunity,” Baisley said in a press statement. “I look forward to carrying out the county executive’s vision by building on the solid foundation Mark Laramie has laid and continuing the great work the Oneida County Department of Public Works does day in and day out.”

Bailey began in the new role on June 5. He previously worked for the DPW from 2017-2021, serving as deputy commissioner in the buildings and grounds division for three years. In that role, Baisley instituted a computerized maintenance-management system and was integral to the county’s COVID-19 response in designing vaccination PODs at the Mohawk Valley Community College Utica and Rome campuses and managing workstation spacing at county facilities.

“We are happy to have Matt back with Oneida County government and leading our department of public works,” Picente said. “He was a pivotal member of the DPW for years, and his experience and exceptional drive will serve him well in this new role. I look forward to the great things I know he will accomplish.”

Baisley began his county career as an assistant civil engineer, coordinating and supervising maintenance and repairs on all mechanical and HVAC equipment.

He spent the last two years away from the county as the manager of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems at Hamilton College. He also worked as an engineering manager in Washington, D.C., before joining the DPW.

Baisley holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from SUNY Maritime College, along with New York State Fundamentals of Engineering, EPO universal refrigeration, and multiple state Department of Labor asbestos certifications.