By Every two weeks, the City of Watertown shines a spotlight on the employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our community running smoothly. As part of their #WatertownWorks series, they feature different team members, sharing both their professional contributions and personal stories. With over 250 full-time staff across multiple departments, each plays a vital role in making Watertown a great place to live and work.
Michelle Schutte, Human Resources (top right); Larry Kaasa, Watertown Regional Landfill (top left); Tracey Witte, Watertown Regional Airport (bottom left); and Tim Toomey, Watertown Police Department (bottom right). (Courtesy Photos, City of Watertown)
This week, they’re proud to feature: Michelle Schutte, Human Resources; Larry Kaasa, Watertown Regional Landfill; Tracey Witte, Watertown Regional Airport; and Tim Toomey, Watertown Police Department.
Michelle Schutte, Human Resources
Michelle joined the City of Watertown as an HR Generalist in September. In her role, she works closely with all departments to support their staffing needs, from posting job openings to interviewing candidates and conducting orientations. She is excited to continue learning and growing in her role, with a focus on fostering a positive environment for employees.
Michelle loves the people-oriented nature of her work and looks forward to helping others find their best career paths, especially young people entering the workforce. Though still new to the team, she’s already impressed by how everyone works together to benefit the city.
Outside of work, Michelle and her husband enjoy gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite local spot for coffee is Caribou, where she often gathers for Bible studies and great conversations. A fun fact about Michelle? She went to a high school formal with Jeremy Renner—better known today as Hawkeye from The Avengers movies!
Larry Kaasa, Watertown Regional Landfill
Larry has dedicated 10 years to helping the Watertown Regional Landfill run efficiently. As the Landfill Operator, he is responsible for operating heavy equipment, overseeing maintenance tasks, and providing assistance to the public with their waste disposal needs.
Larry takes pride in his work and enjoys helping residents while keeping the landfill in top condition. A tinkerer, Larry spends his free time restoring vintage cars and campers.
If he could choose a superpower, Larry would pick the ability to win the lottery, offering endless possibilities to dream big. When he’s not at work or in the garage, you might find him at Country Road Barn enjoying great food and good company. Known for his sense of humor, Larry also loves sharing a good joke with anyone who’ll listen.
Tracey Witte, Watertown Regional Airport
For the past 19 years, Tracey has played a key role in supporting the operations of Watertown’s Airport through her work with the Public Works Department. Her contributions include administrative support, customer service, data management, billing, and supply procurement, ensuring smooth day-to-day functionality.
Tracey’s favorite part of her job is being a member of the Public Works team, which she describes as focused on maintaining a healthy, safe, and well-functioning community. Among her many accomplishments, she is most proud of planning and executing the community event Flights, Kites, & Bites, which brings the community together for a day of fun at the Airport.
Outside of work, Tracey enjoys adventure! She loves riding motorcycles—she owns both an Indian Scout 101 and a Yamaha TW200—along with roller skating, kayaking, and hiking (even when she occasionally gets lost in the mountains). Her favorite local spot is Dempsey’s, and she’s known for her infectious laugh, which she refers to as her ‘homing beacon’: “If you walk into a crowded restaurant, just listen for my laugh and you can find me!” If Tracey could have any superpower, it would be to have wings and fly.
Tim Toomey, Watertown Police Department
As the Chief of Police, Tim has dedicated 25 years to serving Watertown. His role involves leading the Police Department, fostering community partnerships, and ensuring public safety with strategic direction and a commitment to excellence.
Tim is most proud of his work on cases involving crimes against children, where he fought for justice and survivor advocacy. Tim says his favorite part of the job is the people. He’s grateful for the connections he’s made and feels lucky to work in a community where people genuinely care about each other. Those relationships and the shared dedication to making Watertown a great place make his job rewarding.
Outside of work, Tim enjoys woodworking, camping, and hiking with his wife Cheri, his biggest cheerleader. If he could choose a superpower, it would be flying—not only to skip traffic but to experience the world from a bird’s-eye view. Tim’s go-to local restaurant for a great meal and atmosphere is Senior Max’s. Originally from Rochester, New York, Tim credits the Air Force with bringing him to the Midwest, where Watertown became his permanent home.
Stay tuned for more features in our #WatertownWorks series!
