OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Steve Mead, a former Arkwright Highway Superintendent, objects to the Town Board’s proposed local law to change the role to an appointed position.

ARKWRIGHT — The Town of Arkwright is thinking outside the box when it comes to its highest salaried position in the town, the role of Highway Superintendent. Town Supervisor Brian McAvoy presented a local law to the Board to change the role from a full-time, salaried position elected by the residents to a redefined position appointed by the Town Board.

Before the local law can be approved, the residents of the town have a chance to speak their minds. The Town of Arkwright has scheduled a public hearing for its next regular Town Board meeting, Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Two former Highway Superintendents in Arkwright did not wait until May to let their voices be heard. Steve Mead and Jim Ziemba both spoke at length at the latest meeting of the Board in opposition to the change.

Mead brought up how long the Town has been in existence – first settled in 1807 and established as a town in 1829. Mead said that in the town’s history, every Highway Superintendent was elected by the residents. He wants it to remain that way.

“I don’t believe that it’s fair or right for a small group to choose that person for the entire town,” Mead said. “The (Highway) Superintendent needs to answer to the public, not the Board.”

McAvoy gave the counter argument to Mead’s point on who is chosen as Highway Superintendent. “I don’t want a popularity contest to decide who the next Highway Superintendent is,” McAvoy said.

Mead spent 25 years on the job as Arkwright Highway Superintendent. When he retired from the role in 2017, Ziemba took over. Initially, he was appointed to the role after serving under Mead. He was later elected to the role in November of that year.

Ziemba said that while he was elected to serve the residents, he felt like he was treated as an outsider, despite living in the town for 30 years. He believes that the residents of the town want someone from Arkwright to serve as Highway Superintendent.

“I think that it should be kept to the township, in the township, the way it’s been,” Ziemba said.

McAvoy responded by detailing how challenging it was to find a candidate to fill the role when current Superintendent Lisa Waldron was hired. He said he “went around town begging people” to fill the role, and that “nobody would do it.” McAvoy believes the Town will have much better luck opening the position up to the public without a residency requirement.

Speaking to both Mead and Ziemba, McAvoy said, “I like you guys and I appreciate what you’ve done for the town. I just think it’s antiquated.”

Following public comments, the local law was presented to the Town Board. McAvoy stated several reasons for the change. It would offer flexibility for the Town to consider sharing the position with another municipality, as well as restructuring the role as the Town sees fit. Eliminating the residency requirement could give the Town a larger pool of candidates. The position could also be staggered with the Town Supervisor role to offer residents more continuity.

Lisa Waldron currently receives a salary of $55,702 for the role of Highway Superintendent. McAvoy believes that making the role part-time would save the Town quite a bit of money. Waldron is in favor of a part-time role.

McAvoy stated the current structure is “in need of a refresh.” With changes in technology and workplace practices, McAvoy feels changing the duties of the Highway Superintendent could better represent the needs of the Town. The local law would meet all of the legal requirements of the Town, which is required to have a Highway Superintendent or Director of Public Works.

The Town Board will likely vote on the local law next month. If the local law is approved by the Town Board, it will then be listed on the ballot in November. Residents of the Town will then decide whether to approve or deny the law. If approved, it would take effect at the expiration of the current term of Highway Superintendent Lisa Waldron on December 31, 2027.

McAvoy believes the Board should have the say on who the Highway Superintendent is. His stance is that residents elect a Supervisor and Town Board to serve the best interests of the town as a whole, and choosing a Highway Superintendent should be their responsibility. Either way, voters will decide on Election Day, whether that is through the local law on the ballot and Town Council votes in subsequent years, or if it stays the way it is now and a Highway Superintendent remains an elected position.

“At the end of the day, it’s a vote,” McAvoy said.