New Watershed director starts in DeKalb

In the midst of controversy of how the county’s water/sewer department handles contracts, a new Watershed director has started work.

James Chansler, an engineer who served as chief operating officer of Jacksonville, Florida’s water/electric utility, was named to the post in July but did not begin work until the last week of September.

He will earn $153,000 a year in the role, key in overseeing $1.35 billion overhaul of DeKalb’s aging water/sewer system.