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County approves new CDL position and tanker repairs to reduce Riddle Farm hauling costs
Summary
Worcester County Commissioners approved creating a full‑time CDL position and repairing a Solid Waste tanker truck to perform pumping and hauling at the Riddle Farm wastewater plant, a change staff said would reduce contractor hours and produce significant savings though not eliminate summer contractor needs. Vote was 5 in favor, 2 opposed.
The Worcester County Commissioners voted Feb. 18 to authorize the Department of Public Works to create a full‑time commercial driver’s license (CDL) position and to repair a Solid Waste tanker truck for use at the Riddle Farm wastewater plant.
Public Works Director Dallas Baker told commissioners that hauling contractor hours were high last year — listing monthly hauling hours that peaked in July — and that assigning county staff and equipment to the work could reduce costs. He proposed modifying an existing Solid Waste tanker, repairing unused components and using the department’s tractor cab to move the tanker into water/wastewater service temporarily during Riddle Farm upgrades.
Baker said winter and non‑peak seasons would leave ample staff work in water and wastewater operations, and that county personnel would not eliminate the need for contractor trucks during high‑volume summer weeks.
Commissioner Fiore moved to approve the personnel addition and repairs; Commissioner Purnell seconded. The motion passed with five votes in favor and two opposed.
The county directed staff to proceed with the repairs and recruitment. No precise annual salary or total lifecycle cost for the vehicle repair and position were adopted at the meeting; staff said those budgetary details will be managed through personnel and capital budgeting processes.
