Highway Department Downsize

4/17/2023

The rumor mill is buzzing, but I'm not sure it is providing accurate information. I was not able to attend last week’s meetings specific to the downsizing of the highway department, but here is what I know from the Select Board meetings I have been attending regularly.

Heath has had some serious financial hits lately, some expected such as the broadband notes coming due, and some unexpected, such as a significant increase in the Mohawk School assessment (which is now over $1,000,000). These developments have required the Selectboard to make some very hard fiscal decisions.

BACKGROUND: The Finance Committee was charged with looking at ways to save money. The Highway Department was a clear place to look as it is our biggest expense after the school assessment. To this end Will Emmet and Alice Wozniak contacted highway departments in Leyden, Colrain, Hawley, Charlemont, Bernardston, Warwick, and Sunderland. Their research was very detailed, including highway department budget, number of employees, miles of road broken down by paved versus dirt, and cost per mile of road maintained. Based on the data gathered the Finance Committee recommended to the Select Board that the town downsize the department. This was discussed with the Select Board in detail with great concern and reluctance to take such a step.

RATIONALE: Dohn Sherman's retirement left a void in mechanical skills needed by the highway department for equipment maintenance and repair. Anticipating filling this void the Selectboard updated the position description of Mechanic/Operator in June of 2022. The town then advertised for a Mechanic/Operator. There were three respondees, including Kyle Jarvis. Neither of the other two town employees expressed an interest in the position. When identifying a position to be eliminated, the logical choice was between the two employees in the less skilled Laborer/Operator position, Jason Lively and Mike Shattuck. Since Jason had more seniority, Mike Shattuck’s position was eliminated.

NOTE: Since Robyn has a personal relationship with Kyle Jarvis, she recused herself from both the hiring vote and the downsizing decision, trusting Brian and Sue to act in the best interest of the town, as I have seen them do in the years I have been attending these meetings.

This is not the end of the process. Heath continues to have serious financial problems. Other cost savings ideas have been discussed at recent Select Board meetings, some of which may take effect this next fiscal year.

In mud time (March and April) when the highway department does not have enough to do during the day, but needs to grade dirt roads at night, Robyn suggested a change in working hours so the employees start work later in the day to save on overtime.
There is a suggestion to free Jeff Johnston from some administrative tasks so he can do more hands-on work, allowing the highway department to man the transfer station and take over contracted mowing.

Costs increase every year—it's inevitable—we can't keep pushing off hard decisions. I try very hard to keep my personal feelings out of Heath Connects, but we all have our limits. It takes courage and integrity to make the decisions our Select Board makes, despite the ongoing personal attacks from people who rarely attend Select Board meetings and therefore jump to uninformed conclusions without any basis in fact.

If you see something on the agenda that is important to you, please come to that Select Board meeting to hear the deliberation around the topic. That is the best source of information rather than rumor or incomplete information.

8 Comments

4/17/2023 06:02:37 pm

I would like to respectfully address the following… when you said

'who rarely attend Select Board meetings and therefore jump to uninformed conclusions without any basis in fact'

and

'please come to that Select Board meeting to hear the deliberation around the topic.'

I understand that attending Select Board meetings can provide valuable insight into issues at hand, but it is important to acknowledge that scheduling these meetings at 3pm on a weekday excludes a significant portion of the community who are unable to attend due to work. It would be more inclusive and beneficial for the town to hold these meetings at a time when the majority of community members can participate. If the BOS is really looking out for the community, shouldn't they give us the chance to attend? While I agree that more people should attend meetings, we should give them a chance to do so by scheduling them at a more convenient time. Holding meetings during the workday only builds unnecessary tension and excludes a large segment of the community who are not retired.

With meetings aside, I still have concerns regarding the decision to cut funding to such a vital town department. I strongly believe our financial priorities are skewed, and the idea that we can keep on this path is shortsighted. We should be looking elsewhere to save money - anywhere but at the departments that make our town a town (such as the highway department) and those that keep us safe (Fire Department). I can guarantee there are other lines in the budget that are inflated, unnecessary, and/or a luxury for such a small town. Given the poor condition of our dirt roads, the damages to Burrington Road, and the state of some of our bridges, shouldn't we be investing more in the highway department instead of cutting their funding?

As a community, we should prioritize and support those roles and projects that serve the greater good. It is important for the BOS to consider the impact of their decisions on the entire community and allocate resources in a manner that benefits all members of our town. Furthermore, they should be open to listening to the concerns of the town instead of trying to block them out.

Thank you,

Patricia McGahan

4/17/2023 08:04:29 pm

Hi JS,
Thank you for your feedback.
While the 3 pm meeting was inconvenient for towns folks, meetings of this type are not normally open to the public. They are basically exit interviews for the employee regarding the next steps in the process. Mike requested that the meeting be open to the public.

Select Board meetings start at 6 pm every Tuesday during the winter months and every other Tuesday during the summer.

You are right that the highway department is vital, but given the research on other towns done by the Finance Committee, this makes fiscal sense. No one likes this, but there may be more to come.

I'm not sure about the SB trying to block out any town concerns. It has not been my experience in 3 years attending meetings that this happens. The Select Board has a fiduciary responsibility to do what is best for the future of the whole town and this puts them in conflict with some towns people, but it does not mean their input was not considered.

Thank you again for your comment and if you like I will add you to my email list so you will know the agenda for the SB meetings. Your email will not be exposed.
Thank you again for commenting,
Pat

4/18/2023 09:41:16 am

Thank you for the kind response. It just seems in the past few years it's a constant struggle between BOS and the town which it just shouldn't be. I hope to join more meetings and help bring the town back to basics as it's so clearly struggling financially trying to balance the current desires. As a small town, we should not be battling with each other and also we should not be living outside our means. Even IF we are spending more on our highway dept than other towns, wouldn't it be smart to look at other budget lines before cutting something that is so vital?

Again, I just think our priorities are not aligned with what a town like Heath NEEDS not wants. It NEEDS highway dept functioning year round at the highest capacity it can, just like the Fire Dept. If we are in such dire financial troubles, then why aren't we looking at cutting down things that are not so vital?

Pat McGahan

4/19/2023 08:37:22 pm

Dear JS,
You wrote in a subsequent comment that “ It just seems in the past few years it's a constant struggle between BOS and the town which it just shouldn't be.”

I totally agree that there should not be a struggle. But I disagree that it is between the BOS and the “Town.” Unless the “Town” does not include those of us who appreciate the courage of the Select Board members, appreciate their sacrifice of personal time because they love the town, and their willingness to do the unpopular in the best interest of the Town.

I will admit that there is a very determined and vocal group that puts maintaining the center as it has always been ahead of the reasoned and thought-out needs of the Town as a whole. While this center-focused group may present themselves as representing the “Town”, that simply is not true. The voters have chosen who they want on the Select Board and the Finance Committee, and these are people that take their fiduciary responsibility very seriously. If they valued goodwill and kind words over this responsibility, they could make popular choices rather than fiscally responsible choices.

And while this center-focused group has managed to convince some residents they are not listened to, that, again, is simply not true. They are listened to by the Select Board, as are all town residents, but when what that group wants conflicts with what is best for the long-term financial future of the Town, the Board has a legal obligation to act within their fiduciary duty.

Ask yourself: How can people who do not attend the Select Board meetings send out informed emails? Regular attendees at Select Board meetings are Barbara Gordan, Elissa Viarengo, Billy Fontes, and me. That’s it. Agendas are available 48 hours before the Select Board meetings at https://townofheath.org/g/46/Select-Board, so that residents can view the topics to be covered and attend when something of interest to them comes up.

To your comment on the highway department, it will continue to operate year-round and will continue to have temporary help when needed as always. Will Emmett is the Finance Committee liaison to the highway department and has looked at ways to create needed efficiencies that he hopes will mitigate the loss of Mike. And the Finance Committee did look at other areas to save money and may have more recommendations.

Heath has always lived outside its means during my 23 years here, a prime example being our vote at Town Meeting in favor of broadband, which we clearly could not afford, but wanted anyway. Now we have to pay for it. Ouch! This is the first Select Board in my time to make the really hard decisions.

Please call me if you would like to discuss this more, 337-4078.
Best regards,
Pat McGahan

4/24/2023 10:18:04 am

Hello,

When I mentioned how it seems to be a struggle between the town and BOS, I'm obviously generalizing. I apologize if that was not clear. No matter what the argument or disagreement is, there are always two sides. In this case, I find that it's continuously leaning more towards one side than the other. I also use the word "seems" because to me and to many people I've spoken to, it appears to be a constant struggle between the BOS and the town. I guess we will have to agree to disagree when it comes to defining what "the best interest of the town" means. I think that's where needs versus wants could come into play.

Another subject of which we will have to agree to disagree is whether moving the center of town is financially responsible in the long-term (or short-term, for that matter). *In my personal opinion*, it's a luxury that a small town like Heath does not need. Based on the tax reports and our ranking, it “seems” that we are not considering the true costs.

I agree, more people should attend meetings, (always an issue with small towns). I’m happy to hear you are a regular, but not everyone can be due to work and other obligations. Regardless, it’s healthy for town an engaged community, even if that’s expressed by sending emails that question the process and decisions being made. Dialog such as this is healthy for a town and cannot be limited to only those who can or cannot attend every meeting.

I’m glad Will Emmet is looking into other ways to save money, but in terms of the Highway Dept, it’s a little late for that now that we already cut a long-term town employee. I totally get it. It’s a thankless job when you have to make tough decisions.

Regarding broadband, many towns may not be able to afford the initiative. However, it is widely understood that in the long run, it will pay off. Small towns are struggling with declining populations, and living in the Stone Age of dial-up could be seen as the reason why people are not moving here anymore. I would be willing to bet that adding broadband would help homebuyers consider moving to Heath, which is exactly what we need if we want to grow and solve some of these ongoing issues. Disconnection in a highly connected society is a recipe for failure.

Glad we could have this conversation.

https://www.agentharvest.com/blog/homes-with-poor-connectivity-a-tough-sell/

4/26/2023 05:24:44 pm

Hi JS,
You are absolutely right that there are two sides to consider. I just don't know how to have rational dialogue in such an emotionally charged environment. I appreciate this dialogue with you very much. It helps me to see another point of view.

I'm not sure where this thread about the SB trying to block anything out comes from. In my 3 years attending meetings, I just don't see it:
- Most meetings have a public comment period where residents can speak. Not always if there is a lot to cover, but it is noted in the agenda when there will be one.
- All email communication is gone through and acknowledged. While going through it the chair will say something like ". . . letter(s) from a resident protesting . . ." or ". . . letter(s) from a resident concerned about condition of Sumner Stetson Road . . .".
It would be helpful to me for you to explain how this blocking out manifests itself.

The budget should be available soon for residents to look over. I'll send that out on Heath Connects as soon as I can.

Thank you for your comments,
Pat

Michael Smith

5/6/2023 04:55:41 am

I find it iterating that any would could make a stat that at any time of the year, (mud season in this case) that the Highway department would not have enough to do during they day. Having spent 20 years working for the highway department that had never been the case. Perhaps things have changed. If the comments I provided via email and my letter seem to be not factual then please read the approved minutes of the select board meetings. Those written words are indeed facts. An opinion what the board intended is just that, an opinion. I attended select board meeting for 20+ years and never before in my lifetime of living in Heath have I seen such division in town. The way things are now is not how things have always been. There have been several actions taken by the select board that although legal are not the right thing to do. Cutting a 15 year veteran over an employee with only 8 months on the job is simply wrong. We will never agree on the process used to reach this decision and I’m not trying to con you otherwise. Well, maybe I am actually. I simply can’t reconcile in my mind how this was done and I never will. It’s not personal, it’s professionalism. In this case there has been a painful lack of it.

5/9/2023 09:12:14 am

I'm glad to hear from someone else who thinks the town is divided (well, not really "glad"). I haven't been here as long as you but I've been involved with "Hilltown government" for a while and what's happening here is not normal. I hope someday we can find some common ground for the sake of the town and its community. As a select board, I'd hope they aim for that as part of their professional goals. At times it's clearly a thankless job and you can't please everyone, but when will we realize that the direction we've been going in hasn't improved our situation and the division keeps growing? I'm in no way saying everything is falling apart and all decisions have been wrong, but there's clearly a common path we've been on that's not working.

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Highway Department Downsize

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