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More staff hired for public works

The Town of Rimbey public works department’s regular boost of summer manpower will extend to year-round employment.

The Town of Rimbey public works department’s regular boost of summer manpower will extend to year-round employment.

At its Mon. June 10 meeting, following an in-camera session, council agreed to hire another full-time public works employee.

Mayor Rick Pankiw said council decided to increase staff as public works foreman Rick Schmidt has been working many hours of overtime to keep up with the increased demand. Former public works foreman Vern Browne has dropped his hours to four days a week, so manpower is presently at a premium.

To help pick up the slack, Steve Wolfer, a town employee for about three years,  who worked at the arena in the winter and with public works in the summer, will move over to public works full time.

More development, additional roads and green spaces keeps public work crews busy, Pankiw said, adding that an extra staff is certainly needed to keep the town running efficiently.

Schmidt is pleased to have the additional help on a full-time basis.

“I want to see weed spraying done and the sidewalks swept downtown on a regular basis,” he said. “I don’t expect perfection, but I want to do a good job.”