North Brookfield conditionally hires Patrick Shea as highway equipment operator amid staffing shortfall

The North Brookfield Board voted Sept. 9 to hire Patrick Shea for a highway equipment operator/truck driver position pending satisfactory reference checks and completion of pre-employment requirements. The hire is significant because the highway department reported being understaffed and has multiple projects scheduled in the coming weeks, including road topping and catch-basin repairs; the board discussed staffing, contractor use for vehicle repairs and moving a fuel tank to store diesel at 65 Donovan Road. Patrick Shea told the board he holds a Class A commercial driver’s license with a tanker endorsement and said he has roughly 18 years of driving experience, including fuel hauling and operating construction equipment. "I have a class a CDL and a tanker, endorsement right now. I've had my CDL for almost 18 years," Shea said. He told the board he still needs a hydraulics qualification for some equipment and that he is subject to a pre-employment physical. Board members discussed reference checks and the timeline for starting. One member moved to hire Shea "pending reference check"; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with all present answering "aye." Highway Superintendent Randy reported that the department remains understaffed and outlined near-term work: topping Smith, Hansen and Tucker roads in October, reclaiming Hinesbridge, Stoddard and Walker roads, repairing catch basins on Main and Grant streets (scheduled for the next day), grading dirt roads and completing road sweeping. He also said the department plans to move a 1,000-gallon diesel tank to 65 Donovan Road and that crew logistics may be adjusted while the tank is refilled. Randy and board members also discussed mechanics and vehicle maintenance. The superintendent said no applicants had applied for the mechanic position; the board discussed reallocating the vacant mechanic salary to the vehicle maintenance fund and contracting out major repairs while keeping small maintenance in-house. Randy noted that parts costs drive much of the repair expense: "The parts is a huge... whether who's... no matter who's putting the part in." A motion to accept Randy's monthly report for September was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members said references for Shea would be checked promptly and that, barring an adverse reference, he could start before the next meeting. Shea said he would provide missing contact information for his references as soon as possible. No changes to ordinances or funding were approved at the meeting; the hiring action on Sept. 9 was conditional on references and required pre-employment checks.