According to Town Manager Linda-Jean Briggs, the Waldoboro Public Works Department has decided to perform its usual work at this year’s Waldoboro Day following apologies from several members of the Waldoboro Board of Selectmen.
At the board’s meeting June 9, Briggs and Public Works Director John Daigle announced a decision by the department not to perform its usual work related to the set up, execution, and clean-up of the annual town celebration because of scrutiny related to overtime pay for the work in recent years.
At the meeting Daigle said none of the department’s employees want to work the event after continued questioning and “attacking” by outgoing Selectman Carl Cunningham in recent years regarding department overtime related to the event.
Cunningham said he was concerned because the costs for the department’s work at Waldoboro Day continued to go up every year.
Daigle also said the department’s decision was based on a lack of response from the board last July when he said – following inquiries and comments by Cunningham – he wouldn’t have the department work the event if the selectmen didn’t want him to, and the employees wouldn’t work it if all the selectmen were going to do was complain.
When asked June 9 by Selectman Jann Minzy what might resolve the issue, Daigle said an apology from the board might help. Several selectmen did apologize, but Cunningham did not.
The board also took a vote requesting – but not requiring – the department to work the event, which Selectman Ron Miller said was a vote of confidence in the department. Four members voted in favor, and Cunningham abstained.
“John [Daigle] and the boys have accepted the overall board’s apology and they will be working Waldoboro Day,” Briggs said June 12.
“I’m happy that this decision was overturned,” she said.
The amount in question was $750, according to Cunningham’s comments on the issue at a selectboard meeting in July 2014.
Waldoboro Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 20.