By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The village board on Tuesday voted 3-1 to table a motion allowing DPW Superintendent Hassan Fayad to canvas for two motor equipment operators.

The trustees Albert Deshaies and Matt Lebire voted yes and Trustee Francis Carvel voted no. Trustee Tim Ahlfeld was excused for work, so Mayor Tim Currier, who does not normally vote, voted yes so the motion could pass.

Currier said next year’s budget will include a 3 percent spending increase because of the workers compensation payment increase, so he is reluctant to talk about hires, but sees a need for DPW staff.

“I’m a bit concerned about approval to do any hiring now,” Currier said. “We keep asking his department to do more, and we need bodies. I’m concerned about the increase in workers comp. That’s about a 3 percent budget increase. We don’t know what the impact of healthcare will be.”

Fayad said he needs the new hires, especially since the board approved two retirements prior to the discussion. Motor equipment operator Larry Monacelli retired after 31 years and crew leader David Wells retired after 30 years.

“I believe that we need to retain the current level of staffing at the DPW to retain the level of service to the community. Our geography is not getting smaller. We are expanding our water district … so our personnel will be used. We try and diversify them as much as possible. We cannot do more with less. We need the current staffing level we have. These two guys are budgeted in my budget,” Fayad said.

Lebire, who along with Ahlfeld make up the water and sewer committee, said he agreed with the decision to table.

“Tabling will be a good idea for Trustee Ahlfeld and I to get with the superintendent,” he said.