Council here has authorized hiring up to six additional part-time equipment operators to assist with winter road maintenance, while hoping to reduce costs and strain on existing staff due to excessive overtime.
Council accepted a recommendation from roads foreman Mike McIsaac to hire additional part-time seasonal staff from Nov. 15 to March 31 each year, at the July 16 meeting.
McIsaac’s report notes in the past, full-time public works staff from the roads and water/sewer departments have been assisted by two part-time seasonal employees during the winter months. However, he noted, the winter road work was reducing the amount of time available for existing water department staff to be trained in operations at local waste water treatment facilities. The municipality is aiming to have water staff trained and certified in waste water operations by the end of 2014. Currently, Minto has contracted Centre Wellington to operate the town’s waste water facilities until the town has sufficient trained workers of its own.
McIsaac reported that 1,800 hours of training are required to obtain the certification.
“Currently we have one employee working full time in getting his waste water license and two other employees with approximately 200 hours toward their waste water license. It took these two employees approximately one and a half years to get these hours due to the workload in other areas,” he explained.
Potential for savings
The report indicates the additional staff will have a minimal effect on the winter maintenance operating budget, in fact there will be a potential cost saving due to reduce overtime hours.
“If we are able to get six part-time operators, the minimum cost will be $9,450 (in standby pay),” McIsaac pointed out, noting that the town spent approximately $37,000 in overtime for winter road maintenance last season.
“I think this is a no brainer,” commented councillor Ron Elliott. “We hire part-time staff to save money. Why wouldn’t we?”
Mayor George Bridge said it’s important for water/waste water department employees to focus on getting certified.
“It takes time. You can’t find these people. You gotta grow them,” said Bridge.
