Committee forwards wastewater plant PW7 role to council to bolster retention and supervision

The Cheshire Village Personnel Committee voted unanimously to forward an upgraded wastewater treatment plant job description (PW7) to the full town council aimed at adding supervisory capacity and strengthening retention at the plant.

Dave, a wastewater staff presenter, told the committee the plant currently relies heavily on a single plant electrician-mechanic (Greg) who handles pumps, high-voltage equipment and emergency calls. “There’s been numerous times when he had to come in on vacation, come in sick to really bail us out,” Dave said, arguing the PW7 role would provide supervisory responsibility, help prepare budget requests and create an opportunity to mentor and train an apprentice.

Committee members welcomed the proposal as forward-looking personnel planning given expected retirements among long-tenured staff. Don Walsh asked about recruitment difficulty for specialized skills; Dave said an E1 CDL is helpful and that other operator licenses and certifications can be obtained with training and take-home courses, although finding experienced wastewater staff is challenging.

The committee discussed succession and retention; Dave emphasized that the PW7 position is part of a multi-year plan to retain institutional knowledge as several employees approach retirement. The committee moved and seconded to forward the PW7 job description to the town council, and the motion passed unanimously (3-0).

The council will consider the PW7 upgrade at its upcoming meeting; staff said the role aims to ease workload, formalize supervisory duties, and make apprenticeship and succession planning explicit.