Christmas Bonuses and Efficiency Discussed in Schoharie

SCHOHARIE — Les Foland of the Town of Schoharie Highway Department spoke at length about a pervasive issue regarding the traversing of Bridge Street as it pertains to sanding and snow removal. Foland says that the bridge has an 18-ton limit where his trucks are 29 tons loaded with sand. This means that to begin the plow route, his driver needs to go around from 30 to 7 and then by Wetsel Hollow Rd and eventually to Terrace Mountain where he can finally begin the route. A loaded truck can only complete about half the route which means that the same mileage must be incurred two times for completion. This adds an additional 20 miles to the route. Foland both offered and sought possible solutions to make the route more cost-effective. One possible solution was to store loading equipment and sand on the other side of the bridge. 

He also noted that Wetsel Hollow Road, which is the main thoroughfare from the courthouse to the jail and is the responsibility of the Schoharie County Highway Department, has a very steep grade and unless the county has completed plowing, the town route cannot be completed. Foland sighted the importance of prioritizing cooperation in making sure this area is served in a timely manner. 

Foland also asked the board to consider Christmas bonuses for his crew again this year with an additional appeal that they consider including his office staff. Town Supervisor Alan Tavenner made a motion to approve bonuses for the highway crew in the form of $50 or $100 Walmart or Price Chopper gift cards but declined bonuses for the office staff citing their jobs were less difficult as they were not working outdoors in the winter.