DPW Director Arnold appeals for funding in letter to Mayor and City Council. View letter, CLICK HERE. – See Public Service Committee Article, CLICK HERE.
Gardner MA DPW Director Appeals to Mayor and City Council for Funding to Increase Pay
DPW Director Dane Arnold wrote that to mow and weed whack every property in the City of Gardner takes about 256 hours which means a 64 hour work week for Municipal Grounds Employees or the parks, playgrounds, and cemeteries become overgrown. “Just to mow and weed whack” the MGD needs 7 full-time employees” He explained that the City currently only has 4 MGD employees.
Regarding other areas of responsibility: “The Highway Division currently has 9 employees, including 2 foremen, 2 employees typically work on “Specialty Projects” that are assigned to them, such as the Lawrence St. sidewalk project, various downtown beautification projects, drainage projects etc. This only leaves 7 employees, including the foreman, to patch potholes, repair drainage structures….”(he continued with a long list)
Director Arnold bottom lined the situation. “The City must become more competitive with their salaries. Cumberland Farms, McDonalds, Walmart all have walk in the door starting salaries between $16-18 per hour, the DPW’s is $16.24. These are positions not out in the elements, heat, cold, rain, snow, and a lot less physically demanding than an employee at the DPW.” Attached is the DPW Director’s letter along with the detail on hours needed to mow and weed whack. CLICK HERE.
Publisher’s Editorial Comment: DPW, the City HR Department, and Media like Gardner Magazine have promoted these positions. So if applicants turn jobs down due to pay, there’s only one responsible answer: Vote to increase the pay now and fill the positions before the situation has a detrimental effect on the citizens of the City. And while you’re at it, pay a bonus to existing staff and say THANK YOU!.