A list of expected duties has now been established for the Town of Bethlehem’s incoming highway superintendent.
A resolution was passed on Wednesday, Aug. 28, by the Town Board after a lengthy discussion over how specific the job description should be. The duties and assigned tasks were established through the help of Interim Highway Superintendent Erik Deyor, department staff and Town Supervisor John Clarkson.
“Much like the shared services contract we have with the Town of New Scotland, these are things the highway superintendent has been doing for years on a handshake and understanding … but it’s far better to do it officially through a resolution.” said Clarkson.
The supervisor said it is recommended by the New York State Association of Towns that such a resolution be in place. The list was meant to remain flexible, so an incoming highway superintendent would still be able to run the department as he or she saw fit, while still being held to certain expectations. However, some board members felt portions of the list were too specific.
“I appreciate what we are doing, and I know there’s a reason for it, but I also know when you begin to make a list, you are bound to leave something off and there is some danger in that,” said Councilwoman Joann Dawson. She was also concerned that once the list was passed through a resolution, the town would be held responsible tobecause only a certain portion of the Highway Department’s work is paid for through the highway fund.
Deyoe said everything included on the list were duties already being performed by the Highway Department and the list was meant to formalize those expectations. Any changes needed in the future could also be made through another resolution.
Some board members thought it was unfair to include specific items, such as “assisting the Bethlehem Garden Club in planting and assist with the maintenance of their projects along state, county and town rights of way in the town.” Although the town would like to see this practice continue, Town Board members felt there could come a time when the funding and resources would be needed elsewhere.
Councilman Jeffrey Kuhn asked how binding the list would be. He questioned if one entity could possibly sue the other if either the new highway superintendent wasn’t living up to their duties, or the town wasn’t providing enough funds in order for the listed tasks to be completed.
Attorney Jim Potter said that was a possibility, and it was ultimately advised the broadening of some of the resolution’s language.
The new superintendent of highways will be asked to “maintain existing service levels to the extent practicable,” and work with non-specific civic groups on projects beneficial to the town “at the discretion of the highway superintendent,” among other changes.
Board tackles vacation policy
The Town Board also established a new leave policy for Highway Department and park maintenance employees at the Wednesday meeting.
Those working in the Highway Department will now have a vacation policy that more closely matches that of other town employees. Workers will no longer have their two-weeks of vacation established for them, but can seek approval for specific time off based on seniority. The policy also states minimum staffing levels will be relaxed for one month during the summer and summer holidays “to provide employees greater opportunity to take vacation during these periods.”
Deyoe said it was only fair highway employees be given similar opportunities as the town’s other employees. Highway Department and parks maintenance employees will still be expected to be available during inclement weather and emergency situations.
The policy also specifies when a highway worker can use sick time, compensatory time and personal time. Employees will no longer be allowed to use sick time for routine doctor visits, but may use up to four sick days a year to care for a sick child, spouse or parent.