HEATH — Citing budgetary concerns, the Selectboard has eliminated one laborer/operator position from the Highway Department.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my 24 years on the board,” Selectboard member Brian DeVriese said during Tuesday’s meeting when the decision was made. The board stressed this was not a personal decision, but a financial one.
The Highway Department had four employees, with staff now decreasing to three. The Finance Committee recommended the cut to the Selectboard, explaining that the Heath Highway Department has one of the highest budgets in the area compared to the number of road miles in town.
Eliminating the laborer/operator position held by Mike Shattuck will save the town an estimated $70,000, according to Town Coordinator Hilma Sumner. This includes wages as well as benefits.
By comparison, Sumner said a member of the Selectboard calculated the cost to hire extra personnel during snowstorms, and found it would likely be $15,000 if there are 20 snow events.
“I am opposed to this decision,” said Highway Superintendent Jeffrey Johnston. “If we need to do it, it will be done.”
Selectboard Chair Robyn Provost-Carlson recused herself from Tuesday’s decision, which Sumner explained was “due to a possible appearance of a conflict of interest.”
The Selectboard recently had concerns about the Highway Department refusing to perform tasks when requested that did not specifically pertain to roads. In response, the Selectboard decided to formally change the job description of all Highway Department employees.
One item was added to the “Essential Duties and Responsibilities” category of all three Highway Department positions — skilled laborer, foreman/mechanic and superintendent — on March 7. The new item reads: “As needed, will assist other town departments with emergency work and other projects requiring equipment and/or additional manual labor as directed.”
Board members stress that this change, meetings with the department and subsequent discussions did not prompt this decision to cut a laborer/operator position. The Selectboard scheduled an executive session for Thursday afternoon to allow for due process and provide unemployment information for Shattuck.
In the wake of these budgetary concerns, town officials hope that increasing property taxes to $24 per $1,000 valuation won’t be necessary. However, due to various cost increases, they are considering possible budget cuts. Finance Committee member Alice Wozniak told the Greenfield Recorder there are more difficult decisions to come.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.