Sweeping changes to Public Works in Buckfield

BUCKFIELD — On January 4, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a new job description for the Public Works Superintendent, a move which promises to dramatically change the department.

In November, Selectman Robin Buswell proposed the job change after he expressed concern over inefficiencies he saw in the town's road crew.

At the time, Buswell called for a description that would shift administrative tasks from current Superintendent Phil Savage to Glenn Holmes, whose titles include both town manager and road commissioner.

"My intention was to take some of the responsibilities that the Superintendent has," said Buswell, "and the clerical end of it, the paper pushers if you will, and put that onto Glenn and let the Superintendent be a working position, hands on, down in the ditch, whatever needs to be done."

Buswell apologized to Savage for comments he had made about the work that had been done in the past.

"My wording quite often comes out sideways, and I apologize," said Buswell. "I apologize to Phil, who apparently has taken some heat for some descriptions that I have given ... My intentions are not to hurt Phil. My intentions are to benefit the position. I'm not pointing any fingers at Phil."

In November, Buswell had called for a pay cut, but the approved job description makes no mention of the position's rate of pay.

The revised job description leaves more administrative work to be done by Holmes, who distributed a written document outlining his response to the initiative.

Holmes pledged to “play a more substantial role in the day to day operations of the Public Works Department.”

Holmes indicated that he would check daily on progress at the Public Works Facility, and that he would spend at least a half of a day every week at the facility. He also indicated that he would create a report on specific projects to give to the board twice monthly, working with surrounding communities to “consolidate resources and propose pilot programs,” and to create a work order system.

Holmes said that implementing the new guidelines would help the town to better understand how it utilizes it's road crew, which would lead to greater efficiency and a wiser expenditure of resources.

“This is a starting point to work with the Board and provide a better level of transparency to them, as well as the greater community at large,” said Holmes.