Lacking workers, Peabody uses contractor to clear snow
Staff writer
After Peabody public works supervisor Erik Barnes resigned Jan. 7 because of “the sheer amount of anger and hostility” he’d felt from residents toward his department, the city was left in a crisis.
Peabody still had two public works employees, Noal Reynolds and Jessie Talkington, but it was far from enough to run the department during a snowstorm, especially without a supervisor.
Reynolds and Talkington do not have commercial driver’s licenses, according to Mayor Catherine Weems, and cannot operate the city’s best tool for clearing snow, a snowplow affixed to a dump truck. The two can legally drive only tractors and smaller vehicles.
Enter Middlecreek Corp., an underground construction company located on W. 3rd St.
Middlecreek offers, per their website, “utility and pipeline construction, water mains, and more.” Crucially, the staff also is licensed to operate heavy machinery.
Middlecreek owner Rodney Oursler had aided the city in the past during extreme weather, according to Middlecreek office manager Tiyonnah Sattler. After Barnes resigned, Oursler again pitched an idea to Weems.
“Rodney put that in the mayor’s ear, and she was like, ‘yeah, let’s sit down and see if we can figure it out together,’” Sattler said.
Middlecreek filled in right away after Barnes resigned in the midst of a snowstorm.
“They were in a tough spot,” Sattler said. “We went in and offered to help use their machines and our employee services.”
Rodney and relative Rob Oursler were deputized to operate the dump truck, while Reynolds and Talkington worked tractors.
Weems praised both public works and Middlecreek in their efforts to clear snow.
“[Public works] got a lot of criticism, but they did good for what they had at the moment,” she said. “Middlecreek stepped up to help.”
The collaboration faced its second test Feb. 18, when another snowstorm struck Peabody.
The snow was dry and easier to handle this time, and by most accounts, the two organizations cleared the streets well.
As the city continues to search for a new public works supervisor, Middlecreek has been asked to remain on call.
“It depends on the kind of conditions we have,” Weems said. “If we just get two or three inches of snow, I don’t see a need to bring in the cavalry. But if we do get a larger snow, it certainly does help.”
Middlecreek has been paid $300 for the work over the last two snows.
Sattler said the company was happy to assist the city. While the weather is much-improved lately, Rodney and Rob will be ready should more extreme weather arise.
“We want to be able to be a helping hand,” Sattler said. “If they call, Middlecreek will be more than willing to help.”