Van Buren has hired Jason Hoy as the town engineer, a position recently created to save town residents money.

“This is a good move for the town since there will be a significant savings, estimated at over $60,000 when compared to 2008 engineering expenditures for consulting services, which was a year with light engineering use,” said Supervisor Claude Sykes. “Savings would be even greater in years with greater engineer use.”

Sykes also added the town will not have to share the engineer with other clients, as it did with the previous arrangement where B&L Engineers, a local engineering firm, was hired on a consulting basis.

Hoy, who worked with B&L Engineers for approximately 10 years, seven of which were with the town of Van Buren, is scheduled to be appointed to the position Jan. 1 during the town’s organizational meeting, which will be held at 2 p.m. followed by the regular town board meeting.

“[Hoy] knows all the people and problems,” Sykes said.

A licensed engineer, he will begin work as town engineer Jan. 4 at a salary of $78,383 and his first year of employment will be a probationary period.

“The 52-week probation period is an option open to the town. It allows the town the greatest opportunity for evaluating new personnel, not that we feel there will be any problems with this hire,” Sykes said, adding that 52 weeks will be the standard probationary period for all the town’s new hires.

Hoy’s duties will include reviewing, inspecting and following up with developer project plans, day-to-day municipal projects and aiding the codes, highway and building and grounds departments. Should a large project come along, the town can hire a consultant that would work under the guidance and direction of Hoy.

“[This] will help to guarantee that the town is getting the most for our engineering dollar,” Sykes said. “Myself and the town board are happy that Jason is coming on board and we all look forward to the many positive attributes this move will bring.”