Staff shortage may impact snow removal

The Grafton Public Works Department may be unable to keep up with snow plowing this winter unless it hires on additional employees. 

With only enough crew members to staff one shift of snow clearing, the department may have to leave streets unplowed for extended periods of time during heavy storms if staff is not added, according to a report presented during a Board of Public Works meeting Sept. 13. 

The report, written by Public Works Director Amber Thomas, states that village growth has created an increased workload for the department even as staff size has remained largely the same. The last crew person added to the department was in 2006. 

Since 2006, the village has added 10 new plowing routes — creating an additional 6.5 miles of road to clear after each snowfall and placing a burden on the crew’s ability to safely and effectively keep village roads clear, according to the report. 

The additional routes have increased the amount of time it takes to clear village streets as well as the overtime hours needed by employees to clear the snow. 

“We are at a point where the plowing hours required during large storms has become unsafe and we will need to start pulling our crew off the road to get sleep,” the report states.

“We do not have two shifts, so when we hit 12 plus hours of plowing and safety of the drivers becomes a concern, we will have to shut down and have no way to keep our roads safe for an entire eight hour period.” 

Uncleared streets for any amount of time cause inconvenience and safety concerns to village residents, the report states. Emergency response vehicles may also be delayed by the uncleared streets, it notes. 

The department has one superintendent, one foreman, one mechanic and 10 crew members, who operate the village’s 10 snow plows. 

To address the staff shortage, Thomas proposed hiring two more crew persons to handle another plow route and serve as a backup in case another person is sick or on vacation. 

“It would give us some flexibility to have some backup,” she said. 

Thomas said she has been seeking village approval to add positions for years, but the growth in recent years has made additional workers even more important. 

“We are at the point where we definitely need an additional plow route,” she said. 

Thomas added that while snow clearing may be impacted the most by a lack of manpower, the department is having trouble keeping up with projects involving parks, buildings, storm water systems and other responsibilities.

“Every aspect of what public works maintains is struggling,” she said. 

Although no motion was made during the Sept. 13 meeting, Thomas said the board will consider adding staff positions as it plans its 2022 budget. 

She added that a majority of board members agreed additional staff members are needed.