New law will help town search farther to recruit next highways superintendent

By NEAL RENTZ

The Pound Ridge Town Board voted unanimously May 19 to approve a measure that significantly loosens the residency requirement for the town superintendent of highways. The change will permit the town to consider applicants from adjoining counties as well as adjoining communities. It is intended to help the town’s recruitment effort for the position, which is currently vacant.

Playground bridges Also at this week’s meeting, the Town Board voted unanimously to replace two damaged bridges that connect to the lower playground structure at the Town Park.

Supervisor Kevin Hansan said at the meeting that the bridges “took a beating this winter and our inspector advised us to shut it down.” 

The board approved the $15,929 contract with Kompan, a commercial playground equipment manufacturer, for bridge replacements. The funding includes installation of the bridges. Town Recreation leader Melissa Farella told the board she expected to speak with the contractor following the meeting to discuss when the project can begin. 

Residency requirement The previous law stated that the highway superintendent was required to live in Pound Ridge or a municipality that was contiguous to the town such as South Salem or Bedford. “We’d like to loosen that to say adjoining counties instead of towns to increase the pool of people available,” Hansan said. 

One resident spoke during the public hearing on the proposed change. Katherine Biagiarelli asked, “How far out are you going?” in terms of counties where the highway superintendent could live.

Hansan said the new law allows individuals living in Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties to be eligible for the highway superintendent post, in addition to people living in Pound Ridge or elsewhere in Westchester. The most qualified individuals will be considered for the job, he said.

The position of highway superintendent has been vacant since the retirement of Vinnie Duffield on March 31. He held the position for more than a decade and served in the department for 38 years, according to Director of Finance Steven Conti. His annual salary was $127,000.