Heath Select Board appoints Tyson Howard as Highway Superintendent; extends interim superintendent

The Town of Heath Select Board voted Oct. 8 to offer the Highway Superintendent position to applicant Tyson Howard and to set a starting wage of $30.00 per hour for his first 90 days on the job.

The board’s motion to offer the job and the motion to set the initial wage were both made by Select Board member Elissa Viarengo and seconded by Will Emmet; both motions passed unanimously. The minutes state Howard accepted the position and will contact the Town Coordinator after returning from an upcoming trip.

During his interview, Howard said he was “interested in the position because he wants to be involved in the immediate community and would like a new challenge.” He described his approach to learning Heath roads as “time and travel, and by listening to what the crew already knows about each road.”

Separately, the board unanimously voted to extend Acting Highway Superintendent Steve Thane’s part‑time appointment for another three months or until training of a new superintendent is completed, whichever comes first. Thane told the board he is willing to continue in the role and will orient the new superintendent when hired.

The board recorded that the first 90 days of the new hire will be a trial period with a review at 90 days and a subsequent six‑month review to consider appropriate compensation.

What’s next: Howard said he would contact the Town Coordinator about Oct. 23; the board did not record a formal start date beyond that timeline.