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Massena village hires new public works employees

Posted 5/18/18

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA -- The Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted to hire three new Department of Public Works motor equipment operators. The board voted 3-1 to hire Thomas Blair, Brett Stewart and …

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Massena village hires new public works employees

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted to hire three new Department of Public Works motor equipment operators.

The board voted 3-1 to hire Thomas Blair, Brett Stewart and Peter Nezezon at starting rates of $21.24 per hour. Trustee Francis Carvel voted no. Deputy Mayor Matt Lebire was excused for work, and Mayor Tim Currier voted yes, along with Trustee Tim Ahlfeld.

In March, DPW Superintendent Hassan Fayad had asked to hire four motor equipment operators, two to replace retirees and two new positions. There was a tense debate where Fayad said their current staff level leads to unsafe work conditions and said they may have to reduce the level of services. It ended with the board voting to allow two hires. At the board's April meeting, they voted to let Fayad look for a third employee. That discussion ended with Ahlfeld saying they may vote to fill the fourth post later this year.

Carvel, a former DPW worker, came out strongly in March against the department adding the four positions.