The Allegany County Department of Public Works on June 4 asked the board to approve multiple position fillings to address retirements and vacancies. The board approved each request in separate motions.

The department asked permission to fill the senior heavy equipment mechanic position after the planned retirement of Brian Blava. Windus said Blava “spent a lot [of] years with us” and called him “a phenomenal employee.” The motion to authorize filling the senior heavy equipment mechanic position was moved by Burns and seconded by Healy and passed unanimously.

The board also approved requests to fill a motor equipment operator position and any subsequent vacancies resulting from resignations (motion moved by Demick and seconded by Kern) and to fill an engineering technician position in the engineering division (motion moved by Stocken; second not specified in the record). Windus said the county has at least one in-house candidate who may be qualified to move up in the senior mechanic role but warned that similar experienced candidates are difficult to find and may retire as well.

Separately, the board approved filling a building maintenance mechanic position and related subsequent vacancies; the motion and second were recorded and the vote carried.

All four staffing requests were approved by voice vote. Department staff noted recruitment for specialized mechanics and technicians is challenging and that current senior staff have potential to be promoted internally, but timing of retirements creates ongoing hiring needs.