Public works departments in New Hampshire are having to rethink how they hire as they deal with a shortage of plow drivers.With snow in the forecast, communities across the state are preparing for what could be a slippery Thursday morning commute.Towns in the Monadnock Region had supplies ready and vehicles gassed up in preparation for the overnight snowfall. But officials in some towns said they are struggling to find enough workers."This is the worst I've seen it, absolutely," said Todd Croteau, superintendent of highways and facilities in Jaffrey.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Croteau said the town of Jaffrey has had positions open since April. He said it has been challenging to get workers to leave the private sector."We have great benefits, but the pay is a little bit subpar to the private contract," Croteau said.He said some restructuring could help provide a solution."I think we need to regionalize more in order to maximize the tax dollars that are being funded," he said.In Peterborough, a different approach is keeping roads clear."In order for communities to retain people and attract people to do this work, the wages have to be competitive," said Seth MacLean, Peterborough director of public works. "There's really no other way to make sure that you retain and attract people to work for your community."After seeing problems that nearby towns were having, Peterborough changed its budget to pay public works employees more. That's leaving the town with a full staff before winter weather arrives without having to pull money from other town funds."Right now, as of today, our community, the town of Peterborough, has invested heavily in its staff and the people that work here, and I'm feeling good right now," MacLean said.In Keene, city officials said they take a different approach, recruiting workers from other city divisions when needed. The transportation manager said that in his three years of working there, the department has never been fully staffed.
Public works departments in New Hampshire are having to rethink how they hire as they deal with a shortage of plow drivers.
With snow in the forecast, communities across the state are preparing for what could be a slippery Thursday morning commute.
Towns in the Monadnock Region had supplies ready and vehicles gassed up in preparation for the overnight snowfall. But officials in some towns said they are struggling to find enough workers.
"This is the worst I've seen it, absolutely," said Todd Croteau, superintendent of highways and facilities in Jaffrey.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
Croteau said the town of Jaffrey has had positions open since April. He said it has been challenging to get workers to leave the private sector.
"We have great benefits, but the pay is a little bit subpar to the private contract," Croteau said.
He said some restructuring could help provide a solution.
"I think we need to regionalize more in order to maximize the tax dollars that are being funded," he said.
In Peterborough, a different approach is keeping roads clear.
"In order for communities to retain people and attract people to do this work, the wages have to be competitive," said Seth MacLean, Peterborough director of public works. "There's really no other way to make sure that you retain and attract people to work for your community."
After seeing problems that nearby towns were having, Peterborough changed its budget to pay public works employees more. That's leaving the town with a full staff before winter weather arrives without having to pull money from other town funds.
"Right now, as of today, our community, the town of Peterborough, has invested heavily in its staff and the people that work here, and I'm feeling good right now," MacLean said.
In Keene, city officials said they take a different approach, recruiting workers from other city divisions when needed. The transportation manager said that in his three years of working there, the department has never been fully staffed.