Sumpter Township Director of Public Works John Danci proposed a permanent part-time employee for the department during the recent meeting of the township board of trustees.
Danci explained that the board members have repeatedly renewed the 90-day employment of a part time employee and that it would be more efficient to make the three-day, 22-hour a week position permanent. He said the current workload would justify the hours of the employee.
"We're at the point where a permanent part-time DPW water and sewer position will be beneficial to the township," he said. "Looking over the costs, and what other work this would be able to get done, having a fifth member of the team here at least three days a week is needed," he said. Danci said that with one member of the department off, "having a team of four that I can send out in pairs to do specific tasks is definitely going to be a cost-effective measure."
He said the board could continue to renew the part-time position as they have been doing every 90 days or make the position permanent. "It'll be better if we have a permanent part-time position so that when needed they may be able to fill a full-time vacancy.” He said that four members of the department are close to retirement in 3 to 5 years and a part-time employee in place would be able to fill that position and "take a bit of ownership in some of these jobs."
Danci said the department had completed a great deal cost analysis and the workload of the department and each season. "It will benefit the department to have a specific position dedicated to some of those tasks," he said.
Danci said he was presenting the request to the trustees in advance of placing it on a meeting agenda for approval to allow time for discussion and provide trustees the opportunity for any input or questions they might have regarding the proposal.
