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Highland Falls accepts DPW superintendent retirement, approves part-time rehire and a new foreman
Summary
Trustees accepted the retirement of full-time DPW superintendent and wastewater operator John Jones (effective Oct. 31), approved bringing him back part time pending county preapproval, and voted to hire a DPW supervisor/foreman to manage operations.
The board accepted the retirement of full-time DPW superintendent and wastewater-treatment-plant operator John Jones, effective Oct. 31, 2024. Trustees expressed appreciation for Jones' long service; one trustee noted "37 years" of service and the mayor read the letter of resignation into the record.
Trustees then approved bringing Jones back in a part-time capacity with a reduced annual amount (pending Orange County Human Resources preapproval) and discussed oversight and cost implications. One trustee opposed rehiring on fiscal grounds, saying the village is already hiring a DPW supervisor and cannot afford overlapping supervisory positions. The board approved the part-time arrangement after discussion and roll-call votes.
Separately, the board approved hiring a DPW supervisor/foreman at the salary discussed (noting county title recognition matters), with the stated aim of transitioning departmental responsibilities and realizing payroll savings relative to the prior single full-time supervisor arrangement.
Why it matters: Personnel moves in DPW affect maintenance, emergency response and capital-project delivery; trustees debated tradeoffs between institutional knowledge (rehiring a retiring superintendent part time) and cost control and oversight.
Provenance: Motions, discussion and roll-call/voice votes recorded during agenda items on personnel and department staffing.
