Sixteen of the 20 Geddes Town Highway Department employees were present Tuesday night at the regular Geddes Town Board meeting to express their opposition to the board’s intent to abolish a position within the department. Immediately following the authorization of long-time highway employee Dennis Armani’s retirement, the meeting agenda listed a resolution to authorize the board to abolish the position held by Armani. Highway employee and USWA Local 14532 Unit President Joseph A. Longo spoke on behalf of the other 15 highway employees at the meeting, urging the board not to abolish the position. “We all should keep in mind that less than two years ago, two positions were abolished from our departments after the former superintendent retired,” Longo told the board. The board entered executive session to discuss the resolution after hearing from the public.
“They want us to do more with less people,” said highway employee Joseph A. Longo while the board was in executive session. Upon their return, the town board passed the resolution with a 5-2 vote and abolished the department position. Check back for updates, and see the full story in this week’s Solvay-Geddes Express.