By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Officials with the Town of Waterford’s Sanitary District will be spending the next month reviewing two issues: staffing and security.
At a May 8 meeting, commissioners voted in favor of exploring the issues, which were raised by Operations Superintendent Norm Nelson. Plans call for further discussion and possible action at next month’s meeting.
Nelson said only a portion of the district’s facilities near Waterford Town Hall have surveillance equipment – a deficiency he suggested could make the area a target for vandals and thieves. “But the parking lot is very well lit at night,” Nelson added.
Commissioners were at least conceptually on board with enhancing surveillance equipment. As with any expenditure, however, the cost will ultimately determine if and when the effort will take place.
“I think it’s a relatively inexpensive thing to do,” Commissioner Ricky McNeiley said.
Nelson was directed to look into specifics and report back to commissioners.
Another issue under immediate review is staffing levels for this summer. Highway 164 reconstruction work is under way and will likely increase existing employees’ workloads.
Nelson said employees already are backlogged because of heavy rains that saturated the Waterford area last month.
Routine work this summer will include inspection of various manholes throughout the district’s boundaries. Employee vacations are also in the mix.
“The help could definitely be used,” Nelson said of the proposed staffing increase. “Any help would be appreciated. But we’ll get through it. We always do.”
In the past, the district has employed a seasonal, part-time employee who worked about 16 hours per week from May through September.
But finding a qualified person to work within the confines of such narrow hours could prove challenging.
“We need someone who doesn’t just cut grass or sweep the garage,” McNeiley said.
Nelson added: “Someone with a certain skill level would definitely be beneficial.”
It is possible commissioners will hold a special meeting in advance of next month’s regular meeting. If Nelson finds a candidate able to handle additional duties as the late spring and summer season sets in, a hiring could be made.
“We don’t want to get too far behind the eight-ball on this,” Commissioner Jeff Santaga said.
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