Hillsboro to aid Peabody on water
Staff writer
Hillsboro City Council agreed Tuesday that Hillsboro water system employees would help Peabody with its understaffed public works department.
City administrator Matt Stiles discussed Peabody’s staffing with mayor Lou Thurston, Peabody mayor Catherine Weems, and Hillsboro water superintendent and Peabody resident Morgan Marler.
“Peabody has seen a lot of employees leave the organization, which has created a situation where they don’t have the required operators or staff to address their system requirements,” Stiles said.
Because the amount of help Peabody needs goes beyond typical mutual assistance Hillsboro would provide, Stiles told council members he had drafted a memorandum of understanding that Hillsboro would charge time and materials for services to Peabody.
Private contractors would be hired when it is not possible for Hillsboro to assist, Stiles said.
Licensed Hillsboro operators may choose to work as Peabody contractors.
“When our operators are serving in that capacity, they will not be paid by Hillsboro and will not use city equipment,” Stiles said.