The city of Cortland Department of Public Works is “hoping to hire” a new deputy superintendent soon, said DPW superintendent Nic Dovi at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.
The Common Council on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of lifting the hiring freeze on bringing in a new deputy superintendent.
Mayor Brian Tobin noted the lifting of the hiring freeze doesn’t give Dovi permission to begin the hiring process. In order for the hiring process to start, council members will vote on the proposed resolution at their next meeting on July 20.
Nic Dovi, City of Cortland Public Works Superintendent. (Cortland Voice File).
Council members requested that Dovi provide a job description and an estimated salary before voting to give clearance on the hiring process.
Tobin anticipates the estimated salary for the position will be between $60,000-75,000. However, he noted that Dovi would provide an estimate attached to the job description based on level of education, credentials and work experience.
Dovi said he’s been “swamped” since former DPW superintendent Chris Bistocchi retired in April. Dovi, who was the deputy superintendent prior to being promoted to superintendent, has himself and two other supervisors on staff managing “around 20 other staff members.”
While Dovi looks to focus on “numerous large-scale projects in the works,” having a deputy superintendent would be “an asset to DPW.”
“I honestly can’t do all of this by myself,” Dovi said. “I’m attempting to focus on things that are important at the moment, but I’m having to stop for things that are urgent.”
He added, “We’d be able to have other staff members who could handle things that need immediate action, but no more important than sitting in a meeting for a multi-million dollar project.”
Councilpersons Katy Silliman (D-2nd Ward) and Bruce Tytler (D-3rd Ward) showed support for hiring a deputy superintendent for DPW.
“This department needs a staff member who will answer the big questions and make decisions on the spot,” Silliman said.
Dovi provides update on city’s paving projects
DPW superintendent Nic Dovi said paving is complete on a handful of streets throughout the city of Cortland.
Paving projects have been completed on the following streets:
- Floral Avenue
- Franklin Street
- Van Hoesen Street
- Plaza Drive
- Salisbury Street
- Wadsworth Street
Dovi noted on Floral Avenue that “trees have been taken out and curbs have been put in.”
Half of Pleasant Street was paved on Tuesday and the rest of the street was paved on Wednesday, Dovi said.
Paving on Excelsior Street is set to begin on Monday.
Dovi also wanted to remind city residents to take alternative routes around Clinton Avenue, as the renovation project on the street continues.
Dovi mentioned he has seen “thousands of cars” start to go through Clinton Avenue and then take a quick u-turn.
If drivers need to back up and take u-turns out of Clinton Avenue, Dovi recommended not driving through the Mr. Tire Auto Service Center parking lot.
“People are flying through the parking lot as a cut-through and going way too fast,” he said. “The folks (at Mr. Tire) are walking in and out of the building and moving cars around.”
Dovi added, “I’m encouraging people to find other, safer ways to get out of Clinton Avenue.”
