Rocky Hill Searches For Assistant Recycling Coordinator

The town is looking for someone to help oversee the duties at the while assisting with the day-to-day operations of recycling, compost and trash pickup in Rocky Hill.

However, the almost $47,000 per year position and what it requires created some controversy with members of the council at .

According to a job description approved on June 4 by the council, the assistant recycling coordinator would assist with "developing, coordinating and maintaining all solid waste, recycling and composting operations in the town." The coordinator would be responsible for handling trash and recycling related complaints, educating the public and assisting with the department's budget, the documents said. 

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The assistant recycling coordinator position, which will pay $46,446 per year, is not a union job and not eligible for overtime, Town Manager Barbara Gilbert said at the meeting. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. They would need to have knowledge of Connecticut and federal laws and regulations as well as experience working with recycling operations at the municipal and/or state level.

The town of Rocky Hill is doing an internal search, however no candidates have been identified at this time.

Some members of the council took issue with the position at the June 4 meeting. Councilor Cathy Vargas explained how she wanted to see a job description during the and not after it was approved.

"We have no clue what the requirements you were looking for," she said.

Minority leader Nadine Bell said the "process is backwards" and explained to the council why the other councilors and her had "so many questions" on the position.

"This discussion should have started the process, not ended it," she said. Bell also said she thought the salary was high for the job requirements.

Gilbert told the council a description should have been presented to them during the budget workshop and will be on future occasions.

"I understand the councilors' position and clearly this will not happen again," she said.

Once the position is filled, the assistant recycling coordinator would help alleviate some of the duties that Highway Superintendent Glenn Parent is required to do.

"We need that one person," said Parent, who said he receives 80 calls a day. "There is nothing outstanding with this salary."

Councilor Joe Kochanek said he supported having someone available to "step in for the guy in charge."

"It is smart to have people in place to take over," he said. However, Kochanek added the position and its need should have been explained better to the council.

"It wasn't presented as clear as it should have been," he said.

Mayor Anthony LaRosa explained to the audience that Parent manages the Highway Department while serving as the recycling coordinator and sanitation officer for Rocky Hill.

"The highway, recycling and sanitation departments is one area that we have to look at in the future," he said.

The council passed the motion to approve the job description for the position with the three Republicans (Bell, Vargas and Frank Szeps) voting against it and Councilor Barbara Surwilo abstaining. 

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