Changing Operations Considered at Sligo Borough

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published September 14, 2018 4:25 am
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SLIGO, Pa. (EYT) — At the end of Sligo Borough Council’s September meeting, council members agreed to look at different alternatives to current operations such as a second maintenance/authority employee who might be part-time, contracting out snow removal, and even considering the transfer of operating the sewage plant.

The discussion was prompted by the resignation of new maintenance employee Leon Campbell after two months on the job. Campbell resigned to accept a full-time job with PennDOT because of a higher salary and better benefits.  His salary at Sligo was $10.75 per hours and 40 hours per week. Sligo Borough pays its employees a flat fee, so they can go out and buy their own insurance.

Sligo Borough is left with Ed Myers as the only maintenance employee, and the original intent was to have the new employee assist Myers and learn the job, including certification as a sewer plant operator. Sligo Borough and the Sligo Borough Authority share the costs of the employees.  Marsh stated that Myers is anticipating retirement within three years.

The open maintenance employee position prompted much discussion. Willie Roberts, of Sligo, appeared at the meeting and said he was interested in the position.  Roberts offered his experience of working at similar jobs, including lawn maintenance.

Following the appearance by Roberts, council members were not sure of what future direction to take with the position in terms of part-time vs. full time.

“Rather than having a full-time employee along with Ed, we could contract out snow removal and have a part-time position — we’re going to save some money at that on our insurance payments which amount to about $5,000.00 a year, and I was thinking we could still supply the antiskid and just take bids on snow removal,” Marsh said. “If Ed’s out all night plowing snow, he still has to run the sewer plant. That’s kind of the priority there. It’s not that we have to accept the bids; it’s just something we’re considering. They would use their own truck and we would supply the materials.”

“We’re going to have to have a part-time person right now. I would like to give Ed the authority to recommend somebody, and I think he should have some authority as to which we hire whether it’s training or working with them at least for every-day maintenance. The person would have to be trained at the sewer plant to help remove the sludge or to mow the grass up here and other ordinary maintenance.”

Wayne Meier pointed out that trying to get somebody for the part-time position when you need him or her might be difficult.

“Don’t you think we should put an ad in the newspaper staring were looking for a full-time employee?” asked Tom Switzer. “Not too many people know about it.”

Marsh agreed that a lot of people don’t know about the resignation, but thought Sligo Borough didn’t need to advertise in the newspaper.  “It should just be mentioned in the minutes and the coverage of the meeting.”

“It’s just something to consider,” said Marsh.

“Another thing to consider would be unloading the Sewer Authority,” said Meier.

“Exactly,” replied Marsh. “We need to talk to about that, but we’re still going to need at least another part-time employee. Ed’s license runs for three more years and hopefully, he stays for three more years. That’s just another thing for consideration.”

Many area communities have sold their sewer authorities to Pennsylvania American Water, the current supplier of water for Sligo.

Sligo Authority did not meet in September because of a lack of quorum.

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