MADAWASKA, Maine – The town of Madawaska is close to filling the vacancies in its public works department but is still searching for a new director and shop foreman.
The town initiated a hiring campaign in late 2023 after three employees, including the former department director, left in late November. Town manager Gary Picard and town officials met with employees following the resignations, and said some of their concerns include wages, benefits, and a lack of appreciation for their hard work. Two other employees had left prior to the resignations.
In addition to the campaign, which included targeting digital ads to mobile phones and coordination with the local TV station, town officials also increased pay throughout the department by $5 an hour and included an extra $3 shift differential for nights and weekends.
Since initiating the hiring campaign in December, the town has hired five full-time and two part-time employees. The town now has three seasonal part-time employees, one seasonal full-time worker, and nine full-time workers.
Picard said Madawaska office manager Mark Berube is currently serving as the department’s interim director.
This normally would not be permitted in other town departments, since the budget was already set earlier in the year. But according to Maine law, municipalities can spend an additional 15 percent of their public works budgets if the amount of money currently in the budget is not enough to effectively repair or maintain the roads.
With these raises, pay at the department now ranges from $21.50 to $29 per hour.
At a meeting earlier this month some residents raised concerns about the effect this is having on the town’s response to snow cleanup, specifically snow that is on the sides of streets and on sidewalks. One resident said he fell on his back while walking on Main Street and another said she was concerned about how this could impact local businesses.
A public works employee, during this meeting, said the response will improve over time as newer crew members are trained on the town’s equipment.
On Wednesday, Picard said the town is in the process of interviewing potential applicants for the director and shop foreman positions.
“Good progress on our hiring campaign,” he said, “we’ve recruited some great people to the team.”
This story was updated to include the correct byline.
