Editor, The Spotlight:
As a former commissioner of the town’s Department of Public Works, I am writing to encourage town residents to vote “Yes” on the April 30 referendum to abolish the elected position of highway superintendent and to place the duties of that position within the Department of Public Works. For the past several years, town staff and advisory committees have considered and analyzed this potential restructuring and concluded that there were bona fide opportunities for improved efficiency and modernization. The town has been fortunate to have a highway superintendent of Gregg Sagendorph’s quality, but the responsibilities of the position today require professionally trained rather than politically selected individuals. Integrating the functions of the two departments under one professional management team will provide sustainable savings and productivity improvements. The elected Town Board will be fully responsible and accountable to town residents for the continued high level of service we have come to expect with town highways and for the successful implementation of this restructuring. I hope town residents will take advantage of this opportunity to modernize town government by voting “Yes” on April 30.
George Leveille
Former Bethlehem commissioner of Department of Public Works