Birney leaving Tusten job

By DAVID HULSE

NARROWSBURG — Scott Birney, Tusten’s Superintendent of Water and Sewers has announced his resignation will take effect on September 2.

Birney is leaving the $36,000/plus benefits position after 15 years to join Turner Construction. He will be one of the superintendents at the ongoing Sullivan West Narrowsburg school renovation.

Birney said he wasn’t actively seeking another position but the opportunity came along. “It’s weird leaving a job that you really enjoy,” he said adding, “but I do want to thank everyone in town for their cooperation and support over the years.”

Tusten Supervisor Richard Crandall said Birney was a valued employee who would be missed. The town’s water system last year was named system of the year in a statewide competition. “We’re doing things that are way beyond the level of other [water] districts our size,” Crandall said.

Birney also did all the town’s computer service work.

Birney and Crandall said Birney’s departure came after the town board rejected a proposal to form a new department of public works after the anticipated retirement of Highway Superintendent Nathaniel “Skip” Feagles. The board felt the new department would be another layer of bureaucracy and the town was unable to match the salary offer Birney received from Turner.

Crandall said Ron Schalck, recently hired as Birney’s assistant, would be nominated as acting superintendent and a new assistant would be hired for him.