Council approves new public works employee

After a lengthy discussion, the Whitehall Town Council voted 3-2 last Tuesday to hire Ron Noe as a third public works employee.

Council members Logan Reiff and Shawn Hoagland voted in approval of the hiring, and members Gary Housman and Katy James voted against. Mayor Mary Janacaro Hensleigh was the deciding yes vote for the approval. Council members Roy McBride and Francine Giono were absent from the meeting.

Housman questioned the hire and said he thinks two employees is enough in the winter. Hensleigh said their employees are spread pretty thin.

James felt it was unfair the council wasn't given an opportunity beforehand to discuss the issue.

Reiff agreed the Council should have a say but said Noe already put in his two- weeks notice.

"If you get offered a job and you put in your two weeks...it's not fair to do to him," she said.

Housman added they council should have been in the loop somehow.

Hensleigh said it is the Mayor's job to hire and fire for public works and the council's job to know the money is there for the hire. Hoagland responded by saying the council should be involved with the discussion of where the money is spent.

Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows estimates the employee will cost the town around $36,000 per year.

Reiff said she would like to have a council member involved with the interview process.

Housman discussed the possibility of tabling the issue and having Public Works Director Kory Klapan discuss the workload in the winter