Snowfall spurs emergency crew hirings
By Jim Thaxton
FALMOUTH — On a snowy late Friday afternoon Jan. 10, Judge Executive David Fields called an emergency meeting of the Pendleton County Fiscal Court. The agenda was short.
The meeting can be captured in a single sentence: It was called to order at 6 pm followed by a prayer, the pledge, a brief explanation of the need for seasonal workers at the Pendleton Road Department, discussion, a motion, vote, and call for adjournment.
Fields requested approval to hire two additional seasonal workers to assist with the county’s response to snow removal.
Seasonal employees are not necessarily restricted to part time status. They can work up to 40 hours a week for up to nine months.
In response to the snowstorm Jan. 5 and 6, eight regular road department employees initially worked 15-hour shifts, the maximum allowed.
Once the maximum hours are reached, they must take eight hours of rest.
The judge and Fiscal Court magistrates stepped in to cover the driver’s down time.
The snow kept falling. In some places where the roads were level to the surrounding fields, it was nearly impossible to tell where the roads ended, and the fields began.
One driver described having to use bungee cords to hold chains on the rear tires.
Another said the snow was falling so hard the reflection off the headlights was hypnotic.
For three days, road department trucks carrying salt and pushing snow with blades 9 to 10 feet wide worked to open and keep open the 287 miles of the county’s twisting and turning rural roads.
Some of the hills were treacherous, made even more so by abandoned vehicles. The work was exhausting as well as stressful, hence the need for additional help, Fields said.
Magistrate Darrin Gregg made a motion to allow the Judge to hire a minimum of two and up to four seasonal drivers. Magistrate Alan Whaley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
After the meeting, Fields told The Outlook the county just received 75 tons of salt and that this would be enough to address the snow expected to fall over the weekend. Additional salt is on order.
He also wanted to express appreciation to all Pendleton County citizens for their patience and understanding.