NORWICH – The City of Norwich water and waste water treatment plant is short staffed at the moment. Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson recently hired one new employee. He is looking to fill two more positions. He explained the problem at the last Public Works and Public Safety meeting.
“We have a serious problem with resources at the water and waste water plant,” Ivarson said at the Public Works meeting. The water plant’s lead operator has been on medical leave. “The lead operator for water and waste water got hurt and he’s been out for a while,” Ivarson said. At the time of the Public Works meeting, the city was holding the lead operator’s position open, but since then, the position has been vacated, and a new lead operator can now be hired.
In addition, Ivarson would like to hire a laboratory technician for water and waste water. At the Common Council meeting Tuesday night, the council approved a resolution to establish the position. “He or she would be doing all of the lab work required for a New York State approved lab,” Ivarson said. This includes solids testing and microbiology for waste water. The laboratory technician would be required to check and monitor the bug life at the waste water plant. He or she would be working with fluoride and chlorine levels in the water supply. “The lab tech would also be responsible for letting the lead operator know what corrections need to be made, to keep up with the permits,” Ivarson said. The lab technician would make a minimum of $33,508.
The Superintendent of Public Works also discusssed the possibility of a job opening for a parks maintainer. Ivarson spoke with the committee about changing the necessary qualifications for the job, to include a commrecial driver’s license. The Common Council authorized the new parks position, as well. The position will pay a minimum of $27,310.