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Marbletown board discusses options after highway superintendent steps down — appointment, referendum or shared service on the table
Summary
After the elected highway superintendent stepped down, Deputy Scott Hyde is serving as acting superintendent. The board discussed advertising, appointment, a referendum to eliminate the elected post, and shared-service options (including a joint garage and shared equipment) with neighboring Rosendale.
The Marbletown board addressed the vacancy created by the departure of Highway Superintendent Lou Ponali and explored options for filling the role and the town’s longer-term highway needs.
Deputy Scott Hyde has assumed the duties in the interim. Board members said they must decide whether to advertise for candidates, appoint someone temporarily through the end of the year, pursue a local law to convert the office to an appointed position (which would require a public hearing and a mandatory referendum), or pursue shared services with neighboring Rosendale to consolidate management and facilities.
“We could make it a town resident-only position or allow wider county residency to facilitate shared staffing,” a board member said, outlining a route toward sharing a superintendent across towns. Board members noted mandatory referendum timing constraints — the board would need to notify elections officials and start the local-law/public-hearing process months before a November ballot if they pursue abolition of the elected post.
Members discussed the pros and cons of elected versus appointed officials for a technical position. Supporters of appointment said minimum qualifications and civil-service procedures could produce more qualified applicants and provide a stable employee relationship; those favoring the elected model said voters decide and local political accountability remains important. The board also discussed capital needs, including a deteriorating highway garage and the possibility of building a shared facility near the town transfer station if Rosendale agrees to consolidation.
No binding decision was made. The board asked staff to develop a timeline, explore grant opportunities for shared-garage planning funds, consult highway workers about preferences and report back at the next meetings.
What happens next: staff will prepare options for advertising, appointment and the local-law/referral process, and the board will continue public discussion and outreach to workers and neighboring towns.
