DANIELSON — Quinebaug Valley Community College opened its doors for the fall semester with new renovations, programs, and staff, one of whom has returned after an 11-year absence.

Martin Charette of Voluntown, a member of the maintenance staff from 1997 to 2004, is back at QVCC leading his former department. As the new building maintenance supervisor, he is responsible for maintaining all college facilities, including the Middle College and the Willimantic Center. Whether taking care of the grounds, cleaning the building, painting, or troubleshooting utilities, Charette supervises a staff of eight and two student workers whom he calls “highly intelligent, highly motivated, and extremely helpful.”

As a former skilled maintainer and general trade’s worker, Charette worked side-by-side with the recently retired building maintenance supervisor, David Stifel. In fact, Stifel encouraged Charette to take some credit courses at the College, as well as the state Building Superintendent Level 1 test, offered by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services. 

The College has experienced significant changes since Charette left in 2004, including an expanded Danielson campus with two new wings, the addition of the Middle College, renovations to the cafeteria and library, and the new manufacturing program. With the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center scheduled to open in late 2016, Charette and his staff will have an even larger facility to maintain.