Constituent Services Job Filled At Clarkstown Highway Department

Clarkstown Highway Superintendent Wayne Ballard announced today he hired Frank Sparaco, a Rockland County legislator, as the department’s new part-time constituent services assistant.

Sparaco started working Monday in the $75,000 a year position.  The 25-hour a week position does not include benefits: medical, or vacation or sick days.  As a legislator, Sparaco receives medical benefits.

In a statement prepared for tonight’s Town Board meeting, Ballard noted the position was advertised by the Personnel Department for six weeks and drew more than 260 resumes.  Ballard said Rockland County residents were given preference. Sparaco of Valley Cottage has experience as a constituent services assistant having worked with the New York State Assembly Minority Conference for the Mid-Hudson Region for about a year. 

Ballard said the position requires Sparaco to work nights, weekends and holidays if there is inclement weather and emergency situations. If more than 25 hours are worked in a week, then hours will be reduced the following week. He said there would not be any overtime pay.

“If there’s a snowstorm that comes in on the weekend that person has to come in on the weekend,” explained Ballard. “It’s weather sensitive.” 

The job comes with a built-in risk. If Ballard loses re-election when he runs again, Sparaco could be out of a job.

“It’s a political appointment,” said Sparaco. 

Previously, Ballard told the town board about the need for someone to respond to constituent requests, which have increased from about 5,000 in 2010 to approximately 7,000 at the end of 2011.    

Sparaco said his decision about the position was not immediate.

“I thought hard and seriously about it,” he said.

What attracted him was the opportunity to help people who have problems with roads, drainage or other issues.

“I’ll literally now be able to get a lot of good things done for the people of Clarkstown,” said Sparaco. “That was really, really appealing to me.”