Windham plans truck purchase, CDL program as towns scramble for road salt

Highway Superintendent Gary Thorington told the board that staffing and equipment plans are moving forward: the board approved hiring Robert Murray as a full‑time laborer, with a proposed start date of April 1, 2025. Thorington said two employees—Sam Brucker and Robert Murray—are interested in obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs); he proposed the town fund training and use town equipment for instruction to reduce training costs, with a retention payback agreement to recoup costs if an employee leaves early.

Thorington reported an ongoing regional shortage of road salt that has affected town supplies this winter and described cooperative efforts with neighboring towns and Greene County to secure deliveries. He said the town has sent a letter of intent for a new highway plow dump truck; the minutes list an advance payment for the cab chassis of $113,000.00 and a remaining $193,000.00 due upon delivery.

The board directed the Town Attorney, Tal Rappleyea, to draft a CDL licensing agreement that would require employees to reimburse the town on a prorated basis if they leave before a specified service period. Thorington also asked the board to consider applying for a NYSEG grant to upgrade highway garage lighting to LEDs.

Next steps: finalize hiring and the CDL agreement, pursue grant options, and monitor salt availability for spring operations.