March 4, 2025
By Deputy Mayor Jessica Cleveland
The Board of Public Works unanimously appointed Caleb Mitchell to the position of Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator at their February meeting. Mitchell, a four-year employee of the City of Hornell, began his career in the Department of Public Works before transferring to the Water Treatment Plant two years ago. He earned his 2A water operator’s license in the fall. He subsequently passed the Civil Service exam, ranking first with a score of 95, making his appointment official as of February 13, 2025.
Chief Operator Lenny Fucci highlighted Mitchell’s dedication and hard work in achieving this milestone. “Caleb has put in tremendous effort to earn his operator’s license and pass the Civil Service exam. Operators must work at a WTP for at least a year, complete 180 hours of coursework, and pass an exam administered by the New York State Department of Health (DOH). Caleb has excelled in his training and testing, and we’re excited to have him officially join us as a plant operator.”
The WTP currently employs four operators, all of whom hold a 2A operator’s license, in addition to Fucci, who holds a 1A license as Chief Operator.
At the Board of Public Works meeting, Fucci noted that both Mitchell and fellow operator Joseph Brungard plan to further their education and credentials this spring by pursuing training to advance their licenses to a 1A operator’s license, the certification required to run the facility.
Mayor John Buckley commended Mitchell for his achievement. “I’m proud of Caleb for his hard work and dedication. The City of Hornell is grateful for all of our WTP operators, who undergo specialized training and certification to ensure our drinking water remains high quality. The plant operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and there’s much more to the service than residents may realize at a glance. Congratulations to Caleb on this accomplishment and we look forward to his continued contributions.”
