Tusten supervisor touts DPW

The public stayed home

By FRITZ MAYER

NARROWSBURG, NY — Supervisor Ben Johnson said the plan could save the town $1,500 for each snowstorm in the winter. But the only people in the audience to hear him say it were two reporters and Tony Ritter, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

It happened at a special meeting, called specifically to address the issue of forming the Tusten Department of Public Works (DPW), on July 28 at the town hall in Narrowsburg. The plan would do away with the position of an elected highway department superintendent and merge that department with the water and sewer department.

Johnson repeated the basic selling points that he has put forward in the past.

One is that an appointed highway supervisor would be more accountable to the board, and would be required to work a certain amount of hours. With an elected highway supervisor, the person in the job is not even required to report to work.

A second major advantage is that through scheduling and the sharing of services between the current departments, the town could realize substantial savings. Board members have discussed eliminating one position from the merged DPW through attrition, not filling a position when an employee leaves the town’s employ. That could save $50,000, or somewhat less, if the worker is replaced with a part-time employee. There are currently seven employees in the two departments.

Johnson reiterated that both superintendents are doing a good job, and that the move to change to the DPW is intended to protect the long-term interests of the town. Johnson estimated that the town’s infrastructure is worth at least $20 million, and a DPW that was accountable to the board would help ensure continuity of maintenance of the town’s valuable highway and water/sewer assets.

In previous months, George Kinch, the current highway superintendent, had said he didn’t know enough about the plan to endorse it. But this time, Kinch said he supported the change.

Scott Birney, superintendent of the water and sewer district, also said he supports the plan.

In order for the DPW to become a reality, voters will have to approve the change by referendum. The board indicated that there would be another meeting or public hearing closer to when the matter is put on the ballot this November.