Shelby highway position should remain elected, not appointed by town officials

Editor:

The residents of the Town of Shelby should think carefully before giving up their right to elect their highway superintendent. Once that decision is taken out of the hands of voters and placed with the Town Board, an important level of public accountability is lost.

A town highway superintendent has one of the most important jobs in local government. From maintaining roads and bridges to responding to winter storms and emergencies, the decisions made by the superintendent directly affect the safety of residents and the condition of the infrastructure they depend on every day.

Highway maintenance is also the largest expense for town governments, according to the State Comptroller. With so much taxpayer money involved, residents deserve a direct say in who manages those resources and oversees their highway department.

There is a fundamental difference between an elected and an appointed superintendent. An elected superintendent answers directly to the people of Shelby. Residents can judge the superintendent’s performance, ask questions, and ultimately decide at the ballot box whether that individual should continue serving. An appointed superintendent also answers to the Town Board, leaving voters one step removed from that decision.

Supporters of an appointed position may argue that it gives the Town Board greater control over highway operations. But greater control for the Town Board should not come at the expense of the public’s right to choose.

The New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways strongly supports preserving the elected position of highway superintendent in Shelby. The choice of who maintains the town’s roads and manages one of its largest public expenditures should remain where it belongs — with the voters.

Theresa Burke

President

New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways