SILVER LAKE - Last week, the Silver Lake Town Council approved the hiring of a new town/wastewater superintendent.
Tuesday night, during the council's regular meeting, Phil Shalley, current town/wastewater superintendent, expressed his disappointment that the council did not hire the water superintendent Josh Naibauer as his replacement.In a prepared speech read to the council, Shalley thanked the townspeople of Silver Lake and said he was proud to have served them for 17-1/2 years.
"I probably would have worked here longer, but the long hours and middle of the night calls, etc., are harder than they used to be," Shalley said. "I still plan on staying active in the community and the fire department."
Shalley mentioned the projects he has been a part of and services he provided to the town.
Then Shalley expressed his disappointment with the board.
"Seven years ago when I first started to talk about retiring, I hired an assistant, telling the then-sitting board that I was training my replacement," said Shalley. "You chose not to hire him even though Ordinance 93-3 states it is the general policy of the town to fill regular full-time job openings by upgrading or promoting from within whenever qualified employees desire advancement. That is your prerogative. You instead hired Jasun Blocher, who I believe will be a benefit to the town.
"Recently, I approached all three of you and said I thought it would be a good idea to combine the jobs (water and wastewater superintendent) back together and have my replacement work under Josh Naibauer until they have learned the system and got whatever certifications they needed. You decided not to, also your prerogative.
"So now we have a new town superintendent with no certifications and no experience and no knowledge of the systems."
Shalley said he still is willing to mow and clear sidewalks for the town as a part-time employee.
"However," Shalley added, "any work falling under my water or wastewater certification will be billed as a consulting fee at a rate of $50 per hour, which is still well under any other consultant."
Shalley also was upset that Blocher was hired at the same pay level it took Shalley 17 years to achieve. Shalley also questioned the pay level, saying the Blocher does not have experience, qualifications or state certifications relating to the job.
"Two years ago I took a $2-an-hour pay cut to help keep Josh here as my assistant," said Shalley. "So now I can see where this board stands on loyalty to its employees. I, again, would like to say that I believe that Jason and Josh will do a good job for the town, but you as a board have blown it. Thank you and good night."
With that said, Shalley left the town hall and the meeting continued.
In other business, the council:
n Approved a motion to add a total of $2,000 to town employees' health savings account this year. The money will be added in equal installments of $500 each quarter.
n Approved a motion to replace a bumper and repaint one of the town's trucks for $3,566.24.
n Heard that spring cleanup day is May 10. Residents are allowed to have a 6-foot-by-6-foot area of trash. Appliances, anything with freon, hazardous materials, paint and tires are not allowed. Anyone who has tires to get rid of may contact Town Marshall Craig Hollopeter to get vouchers to have the tires removed for free.
n Approved a motion to replace two doors on the town's vac house. The council tabled a motion to replace the roof on the state highway building until a quote for siding is received as well.
n Approved a motion to spend $4,568 with DT Construction to build a wall at the firestation. The wall will be made of stainless steel with no wood to keep the building's non-combustible status for insurance purposes.
n Heard the fire department still has about 30 free smoke detectors for residents of Silver Lake who need them. Anyone interested in the smoke detectors should call the fire station at 260-352-3245 and leave a name and number on the answering machine.
n Heard the town will flush mains in the next few weeks. People will see discoloration and may have an iron smell in their water at times, but Naibauer said both will go away as the sediment is removed from the lines. The practice is part of routine maintenance.
n Heard limb pickup also will start again soon. Leaves, twigs and small branches can be bagged and the town will pick them up. Limbs must be less than 8-feet long and weigh less than 80 pounds. If there is trash in with the limbs, then it will not be picked up.
Silver Lake Town Council members are Gale Owens, president; Linda Baker; and Ronald Jones. Town clerk is Angie Glass.
