HOULTON, Maine — Faced with an increased workload, the town’s public works department may soon be adding another employee to the mix.
Chris Stewart, public works director, asked the Houlton Town Council on Feb. 27 to consider taking funds from the town’s surplus account to cover the cost of hiring another person.
“We have tried for the past two-and-a-half years to go without this position, but I have found that I am now trying to manage the crew from inside a truck,” Stewart said. “I am out in a plow truck covering a route because we are short instead of spending my time doing office duties.”
Stewart said because they are short staffed, no employees are allowed to take time off in the winter, unless they are sick, because there are simply not enough people to cover all the shifts needed to keep Houlton’s roads and sidewalks cleared.
“If people are sick, I have nobody,” Stewart said. “I don’t mind helping out, but it’s getting to the point where it’s become two full-time jobs.”
In his request, Stewart asked for $39,804 to be taken from the town’s surplus account to cover a person’s salary from April 12 through Dec. 31. Stewart added he planned to include the position in the 2018 municipal budget.
The council is expected to act on the request at the Monday, March 13 meeting.
