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Pulling For History

img 7714-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Just like the old days: The restored grader is put to work during a demonstration at the Altamont Fair. It was made by Climax Road Machine in Marathon, N.Y., north of Binghamton, a factory that ran from 1887 to 1890. Andrew Tinning plans to display the horse-drawn grader in June at the Gas-Up in Gallupville, and in August again at the Altamont Fair.

img 7717-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Period piece: “Little Winner,” the antique road grader restored to its former glory by Andrew Tinning, looks right at home in front of the also restored village train station, now home to the Altamont Free Library. The grader will be at the station at least through April 9 when, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Judith Wines will give a presentation called “Tours and Trains in Altamont.”

img 7712-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Rallying round the antique grader restored by Andrew Tinning, second from left, holding a whip, are, two grandsons of Casper Wagner, the grader’s original owner — Merlin E. Wagner at far left, and Bernard H. Wagner, at far right. The grader, which Tinning discovered, forgotten and neglected, on property behind his house on Dunnsville Road, was originally used to groom Guilderland’s roads before it was used for ditching at the Wagner farm. At center, is Steve Oliver, Guilderland’s current highway superintendent. Next to him is Judith Wines, the director of the Altamont Free Library, now housed in the village’s historic train station. The grader originally arrived in Altamont by train.

McIntyre is new water super

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Published on Friday, 08 March 2013 17:58

By Anne Hayden

img 0101-webThe Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Timothy McIntyre is the new superintendent of water and wastewater management in Guilderland, after spending 17 years as the director of public works in the village of Altamont. He said he will miss the interaction with the people of the village, but feels the job in Guilderland will present a new challenge.GUILDERLAND — After 17 years with the village of Altamont, Timothy McIntyre has transferred his skills to the town of Guilderland, as the new superintendent of water and wastewater management.

At age 49, he said he expects to be working in that job until his retirement.

McIntyre began working for the village as a machine and equipment operator, and then got his water and wastewater license. In 2001, he became the superintendent of public works in Altamont.

In that capacity, he oversaw the roads, the water and sewer systems, and was involved in parks and recreation.

“My favorite part of the job in the village was the interaction with the people,” said McIntyre. “They always knew I was there, that I was available, and that I was approachable.”

The decision to apply for a job with the town of Guilderland was “bittersweet,” McIntyre said.

“I always assumed I would be retiring from the village,” he said. “But I also always knew that, if the superintendent job became available in Guilderland, I would apply.”

He wants to work for Guilderland because he thinks it will be more of a challenge.

“I’m going from one square mile to 60 or so square miles, and from six or seven guys to 25 guys,” he said. “There will be a big adjustment period.”

Acting as the superintendent of water and wastewater management in Guilderland will differ from acting as the superintendent of public works in Altamont because it will be more departmental and administrative, and less hands-on.

“In Altamont, I was more of a heavy equipment, in-the-ditch kind of guy,” said McIntyre.

He began last month, and said he has already made sure that everyone in the water and wastewater department knows he is approachable, and that most of them have been there so long, they are a “cohesive unit.”

Guilderland has big projects already in the works, including developments, said McIntyre, although things are always a bit more slow in the winter.

William West, who retired as water and wastewater management superintendent last month, after three decades, offered to act as a consultant on an as-needed basis.

McIntyre said West provided him with guidance during his first week on the job, and will continue to help out with projects that are already in the pipeline.

“I want the people in the village to know they are in great hands here, even after I’ve gone,” said McIntyre., of Altamont. “People shouldn’t have any problems.

He said he wanted to thank the village trustees and Mayor James Gaughan for all the opportunities and support they provided him with over the years.

“If I have the same caliber of people in Guilderland that I had in Altamont, this will be a great experience,” McIntyre said.