David Bird

The Fredonia Board of Trustees has hired former village trustee David Bird as new supervisor of the Department of Public Works.

Bird was hired at Monday’s trustees meeting, at an annual salary of $57,000. His hiring is effective Dec. 8.

Trustee Paul Wandel said that three people were interviewed on Nov. 13 for the DPW job. He conducted the interviews with Treasurer Erlyssa LeBeau and Trustee Jon Espersen.

Bird was elected a village trustee in 2021 but lost re-election in 2023. He later ran unsuccessfully for the town of Pomfret board, then had another try at a village trustee seat this year. He was defeated by Christine Cruz Keefe and Leeann Lazarony in a three-way race for two seats.

DPW employee Josh Cybart expressed some worry about Bird’s hiring. He spoke from the podium during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“I work for the DPW and I’m a former police officer,” Cybart began. “I see they’re hiring Mr. Bird. Mr. Bird, I have no issues with you whatsoever. It’s just the qualifications I’m a little curious about. It says a minimum of six years… And I’m pretty sure he works as a salesman, so there’s nothing there.”

Cybart was referencing Bird’s work as a real estate agent. Espersen stated later during his report time, “If Mr. Bird was not qualified, civil service would not have allowed us to interview him.”

Cybart continued, “I understand you guys are trying to get rid of our department slowly and merge with Pomfret. I get it. It just…I don’t know what to say anymore to you guys.

“We’ve done everything we can. We work our butts off. We’ve had holes collapse on us! We’re up in the pouring rain, snow and all that! We do our job! Our former boss (the recently retired Scott Marsh), you know the issues with him. It just seems there might be a continuation of that. I don’t want that anymore. I just want to go and do my job and go home to my kids, that’s it.”