HORTONVILLE - Town of Delaware Highway Superintendent William (Bill) Eschenberg came before the town board at its regular meeting on Wednesday night to ask if he could hire a new person to the highway department.

He said one employee left because they were moving out of area, and the workforce went from eight to seven workers.

“I would like to replace him with someone. I don't know how the board feels about that, but I need a truck driver. We've always had eight guys and eight plow routes,” Eschenberg said.

Town of Delaware Supervisor Steve Lundgren asked if it was possible to get by with only seven employees.

“I've been reviewing all of the past expenditures and it looks like you had six guys for several years,” Lundgren said.

Eschenberg hotly contested that, saying there have always been eight employees and anything less would result in some roads not being plowed.

Lundgren said that if an employee leaves that is not considered a reduction in force, because a reduction is force is defined as an action taken by the board.

After some back and forth between them, Lundgren ultimately said that it would be a board decision.

“If the board decides that it's appropriate for you to hire somebody else and have eight people then that's fine,” he said.

But countering that notion, he later said that Eschenberg has the authority to hire someone and does not need a board resolution, he just has to work within the scope of the budget.

Eschenberg said he was only asking for the blessing by the board, and expressed worry that if he hired someone now, when the budget gets passed in January there might not be enough money.

Lundgren said the tentative budget currently is working with the same amount, which would mean there could be eight employees.

Ultimately, the board agreed he could move ahead with the hire.

Budget talks begin

The town board is beginning to work on the 2021 budget. They set budget workshops for October 22 at 7 p.m. and October 27 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 104 Main Street in Hortonville.