by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Whitewater Region township is hiring two managers, one within a week’s time, the second will take much longer before he or she is hired.
Changes to the Township of Whitewater Region’s organizational structure were reviewed by council at a closed session on Tuesday, February 21. The new organizational chart was formally amended at last night’s council meeting.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay noted the organizational structure of the township is part of his responsibilities, and the direction the township is taking, a re-organization was necessary to move forward.
The positions of Manager of Environmental Services and Manager of Public Works were eliminated and will be replaced by Manager of Physical Services. This new manager will provide leadership in the areas of roads, drainage, water/sewer services, engineering, solid waste, energy, safety and utilities. This position will be advertised this month.
“We’ll take our time to find the right candidate for that position,” he said.
CAO Tremblay noted in previous years, all the responsibilities in the new position were, at one time, part of public works.
“There’s a history here, many years back, when it was one,” he said. “For us, it’s combining environmental services, which is the waste site and water and sewer, and we have OCWA, with our roads component, so they tend to go together.”
Bill Misener, who was the public works manager, is no longer a township employee. The township thanks Mr. Misener for his service to the township as Manager of Public Works and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
“It’s always difficult (when there are changes),” CAO Tremblay said, adding, “We tried to do it in a way that is respectful.”
Steven Hodson, who was manager of Environmental Services, will be leading the township’s efforts with regards to health and safety and solid waste, reporting to the new Manager of Physical Services.
Mr. Hodson has been working in the area of health and safety for the township, but it is now being “formally recognized” as an important part of the township’s responsibilities, he explained.
CAO Tremblay said it was his recommendation that Mr. Misener be released and Mr. Hodson would remain working within the township.
“Solid waste is a priority for us and so is health and safety,” he said. “Steve, informally, led health and safety, and really didn’t have the time. So, this will formally recognize that health and safety is important to the corporation and Steven will help us with that.”
CAO Tremblay noted a new Roads Supervisor will be hired internally to lead roads construction and maintenance operations. It’s not a managerial position and the person will be reporting to the new Manager of Physical Services.
There are currently two lead hands and a team working within the roads department, he said. It’s hopeful someone from within the department will want more responsibility, he said.
“It’s more of shifting responsibilities, not hiring someone for another position,” CAO Tremblay said. “We’re looking for somebody who has roads-related courses. There’s a certified roads superintendent certification that I know a few of our staff were working towards.
“So, we think there’s some good skills-sets in the team and we’re hopeful someone will step up to lead,” he said.
CAO Tremblay said the township will be looking for someone who has engineering expertise, along with other abilities, to be the Manager of Physical Sciences.
“This will allow us to have some engineering expertise in-house to assist us,” he said, noting there is a major waste water plant upgrade happening.
In other organizational changes, Carmen Miller who currently serves as Community Development Team Assistant, will take on additional responsibilities as Deputy-Clerk.
CAO Tremblay noted Erica Rice is also a deputy-clerk, but she will focus more on payroll and payables.
“Erica is our deputy-treasurer and payroll is a very important function,” he said adding, “and despite her title (deputy-clerk), her main focus is finance-related.”
The new organization also occurred once people’s strengths were reviewed and more clarification was provided as to what each employee will responsible for, CAO Tremblay said.
There was also the opportunity to see what skill-sets are still needed within the township, and one of those is engineering.
Community Services Manager/CEMC
There were 62 applicants who applied for the position of Manager of Community Services/Community Emergency Management Co-ordinator, he said.
“Of those 62 great applicants, we interviewed 11,” he said.
He expects within a week’s time the person hired for this management position will be announced.
“There was a broad range of applicants, from within the geographic area, including eastern Ontario and some from afar as well,” CAO Tremblay said adding, “I was happy to see that many applicants. There were more than I thought would be interested.
“It’s good to know that there’s some great people out there who do want to work for the township,” he said adding, “It’s a very important area in terms of how we move forward.”
Mayor Hal Johnson said, “These changes will serve us well in the years ahead as we work to make the township the best it can be.”
CAO Tremblay added, “These modifications, along with the hire of a Manager of Community Services in March, will ensure the alignment of the organizational structure with the strategic plan.”
