Tree laborer is a dangerous municipal job, he added.
“These people are on call 24/7. They are asked to go out during inclement weather for fallen trees.
The highest the warden can offer these new experienced laborers is $16 an hour, a wage Collasius called “dismal and deplorable” as well as a great contributor to the high employee turnover rate for the position.
“It’s a long-term problem preventing the department from functioning in a reliable manner.”
It was previously reported that the Department has a massive backlog of work due to staffing shortages and COVID-related restrictions.
Collasius is asking for a wage increase of $17.50 and $18.30 an hour for the two new employees he wants to hire. These numbers, according to him, are still roughly 25% less than the industry standard for the work involved.
FAIRHAVEN The unofficial results for the annual Fairhaven election, held Monday, April 5, were released by the town.
Selectman Robert Espindola unofficially won the Selectman race with a total of 1,766 votes. Challenger Lisa Plante, received 491 votes, unofficially. Espindola will hold his position for the next three years.
Voters re-elected the two current School Committee members, Donna McKenna and Colin Veitch, for another three years. McKenna and Veitch totaled 1,284 and 1,282 votes, respectively. Challenger Cathleen Marchessault received a total of 937 votes.
Kevin Gallagher took the three-year Board of Health seat with a total of 1,602 votes over Barbara Acksen, who received a total of 558 votes.
Fairhaven town election: Candidates Night held with COVID-19 protocols southcoasttoday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from southcoasttoday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.