Old hands get new titles and duties

ALTAMONT — The village appointed its new superintendent and assistant superintendent of public works in April, keeping and promoting two long-term employees.

Jeffrey Moller is the new superintendent, replacing Timothy McIntyre who moved on to be Guilderland’s superintendent of water and wastewater management. Moller, one of six applicants for the post, previously served as Altamont’s assistant superintendent.

The board promoted Larry Adams from chief water operator to assistant superintendent.

“It’s been good,” Moller said of the transition.

“Very good,” agreed Adams. “Absolutely perfect. Jeff and I have worked together for 13 years. That’s been a big plus.”

Moller praised the village clerk, the treasurer, and the mayor for helping to make the transition smooth. His new position, he said, is different only in the increased amount of office work required.

“Jeff is highly qualified, has extensive experience, is appropriately certified, has demonstrated successful management skills, and is highly suited for the position of Superintendent of Public Works,” said Mayor James Gaughan in a statement to The Enterprise. “He has extensive knowledge of municipal water and sewer systems, is proficient with scientific concepts and water-quality standards, and has effectively overseen the operation and maintenance of the Village equipment.  He holds an Associate Degree in Business from Hudson Valley Community College,” Gaughan said.

Moller’s position pays $62,347 per year. Adams’s new post pays $53,000 per year.

Moller has worked for the village for 12 years, he said, but he was involved in the village for many years before that as an independent contractor.

The Altamont Public Works Department will continue working with the state Department of Transportation in the repaving project along Route 156, and assist with the repair of the railroad crossing on Main Street, Moller said. The village may add a slurry coating for resurfacing work this summer, also. His department is currently busy with bags and brush pick-up, he said.

Adams said that he has worked for the village for 18 years. While his previous title was chief water operator for the village’s water system, he has experience doing everything in the department, as do the other five public works employees, Adams said.

“We’re all able to do everything. We’re such a small group,” Adams said. “If someone’s absent, we can all fill in for each other.”

“He exhibited skill and initiative, and performed very well in his current temporary role as Assistant Superintendent,” the mayor stated on making Adams’s appointment. “His excellent, long-standing record of good work with the Village makes him very qualified to take on the permanent position of Assistant Superintendent of Public Works.”

Adams spoke to The Enterprise during a break from mowing village property. Asked if there were projects he wanted to accomplish as the assistant superintendent of public works, Adams said, “That’s, historically, the superintendent’s ideas or the public’s input. He’ll plan everything, and I’ll support it.” Adams said that he can help solicit prices for projects or materials, but that he also works with the crew.

The department now is concentrating on routine services it provides every summer, like sidewalk and other day-to-day maintenance, he said.

“There’s always something going on,” Moller said.

More Guilderland News

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  • Project applicant David Zhang was before the Guilderland Planning Board at its March 13 meeting with a proposal to reconfigure 1975 Western Ave.

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