WOBURN - The city's School Committee recently welcomed Burlington-resident James Gallivan as the new Facility Manager of the new WMHS.

According to Gallivan, who formally introduced himself to the School Committee at its recent meeting, he looked forward to the significant challenge he faced in ensuring a smooth transition from the old high school to the new $64 million facility this fall.

With his resume boasting nearly two-and-a-half decades of experience within various maintenance and HVAC-related roles in the private sector, the Burlington resident insisted that the new high school's technological features rivaled the best-designed facilities he's ever encountered.

"I'm really happy to be here," the Northeastern University and Middlesex Community College educated new hire said. "Coming from private industry to the public sector is going to be a real change for me. But I think I'll be happy."

Gallivan, who most recently oversaw operating and maintenance functions at a six-building Harvard University property, has also worked as a contractor for Hingham-based Millennium Mechanical Concepts, Inc., which managed HVAC systems at the Norwood Senior Center, Dover Town Hall, and Watertown Arsenal headquarters.

In addition, the Burlington resident has a top-to-bottom familiarity with HVAC and other mechanical systems, having sold, installed, and managed the equipment for six-years out of the Encon Company, based in his hometown.

According to School Facility Director Rob Robblee, the new hire's superior who conducted a job search to fill the newly created $50,000 a-year position, Gallivan immediately illustrated his worth to the district upon his first walk-through at the new $64 million facility.

"He's been with us a couple of times through the school. And we were very impressed with his credentials. But when we walked through the new building, Jim had an immediate grasp of what types of problems we were going to face," praised the Facilities Director, adding that he was also confident in Gallivan's hands-on approach and familiarity with janitorial work.

The source of its fair-share of controversy over recent months, the new Facility Manager position filled by the former Wellesley College plumbing and heating supervisor drew sharp criticism from the City Council during FY'07 budge deliberations.

Three other new positions at the new WMHS were also the target of debate during the recent City Council discussions, which ultimately resulted in the Aldermen slashing $100,000 from the district's proposed $39.5 million operating budget.

According to School Committee veteran Denis Russell, who aggressively defended the high school staff additions against the City Council attacks, he considered Gallivan's position to be amongst the most important of the four appointments.

"What I want to ask you up-front is [do you see] a cost justification for you're position," Russell asked, apologizing for putting the Burlington resident on the spot. "I see it as justified from a cost and savings standpoint."

In response, the new Facility Manager claimed that because of the manner in which the high school was both constructed and laid-out, the district could expect to save considerably in terms of labor expenses.

In his mind, Gallivan argued, while the school department might have to purchase a few minor items, features such as marble floors — which won't require waxing like traditional hallway surfaces — should even offset those expenses.

"There isn't going to have to be a lot of work done other than organizational labor. With a school laid-out like that, labor costs are going to drop significantly," the Burlington resident predicted. "The money put into the building is going to pay for itself, much faster than other public building projects."