The Bremen Town Council members held a lengthy discussion last week concerning positions within the Electric Department.
Foreman Ben Wright explained to the council that a Journeyman is desperately needed in the Electric Department. The open position was advertised, but there were no applicants. He said an employee from the Wastewater Department has agreed to transfer to assist in the situation. The council agreed to that transaction.
Wright noted that the department is down to two Journeyman/Lineman and it will be about a year-and-a-half before two apprentices could be available to be on-call Journeyman/Lineman.
As a proposal for a solution, Wright asked the council to consider creating a part-time stand-by Journeyman/Lineman position. Wright said he talked to person who retired from the department who would be willing to work one week a month to help out. The position would pay $450 and be $50 an hour if the person is called out to work that week. No overtime would be included and there would be no benefits offered.
Wright said the part-time stand-by Journeyman/Lineman would only be needed for a year.
It was suggested that Sawvel review the wages for the Electric Department and see what can be done to maintain a competitive nature with wages.
The council did approve the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the wage ordinance to reflect the addition of the part-time stand-by Journeyman/Lineman position.
