Tree Warden: Support higher pay for tree workers
Hello, Don Collasius, Tree warden here.
I will be appearing before the Board of Selectman on 26 APR 21. I urge you to view this on town cable [channel 18, or watch live at fairhaventv.com] and what I hope to display is a dedicated group of elected and appointed town officials working together to fix a long term issue regarding the towns ability to employ two part-time workers for the tree department.
As currently structured the pay scale for those two part-time folks is $14 to $18.46 per hour. On a normal basis these employees can work a maximum of 19 hours per week and they receive no other benefits other than wages. During emergencies they work as much as can be safely expected of them with still no benefits.
This town has a history of not being able to hire and keep these positions filled. I have two candidates with very much experience and training who want this job. They have filled out the proper paperwork with the town and can start immediately. What I don’t have is a close to acceptable wage I can pay them.
The following comes from TCIA which is the Tree Care Industry Association who do a comprehensive survey of pay scales for tree workers in New England yearly.
The median compensation ranges for both an aerial lift operator and a grounds worker in Massachusetts. These results are for 2019.
Aerial Lift operator: $20-$25/HR
Grounds person: $16-$20/HR
I am told towns pay less than the industry. What I am requesting is below industry. I am told Mattapoisett has folks doing this for $15 an hour and I can start my people at $16.09. That’s great for Mattapoisett that they can hire and retain people for $15 per hour. History shows this does not work for Fairhaven.
I have been in office for one week today (as I write this). I have met with 30 folks requesting tree work and I was left with a list of 20 folks requesting service. Every one of them has been reasonable in their request.
I am not asking for more money for my budget. I believe I can make the current budget work. I am asking to be able to pay two people who are expected to get up at two in the morning during inclement weather and to work in a dangerous environment something close to a reasonable wage.
I cannot find, and no one can show me a document saying the town cannot currently pay what I am asking. To the contrary I understand it is within the Town Administrator’s authority to start these workers for what I ask.
Please watch, and prior to I encourage you to reach out to the Board of Selectmen, the interim Town Administrator and myself to share your thoughts on this. What I hope and believe you will see on April 26 is a level of cooperation that often happens but is rarely seen.
Don C. Collasius, Town of Fairhaven Tree Warden
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entire 4/22/21 issue: 04-22-21 OxfordSchoolDemo
