By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

The Salina Town Board voted March 13 to appoint Doug Wickman to the part-time position of town engineer.

Wickman, who retired as a senior principal with C&S Companies, was one of three candidates interviewed for the position. He will work roughly 20 hours per week and will be paid $40 per hour.

“His skill level was exactly what we were thinking [we needed],” said Supervisor Mark Nicotra.

Currently, the town contracts with Clough Harbor & Associates for engineering services, with Laura Cassalia acting as the main town engineer.

The town budgeted $60,000 for the town engineer in 2016; actual spending was $45,878.15. For 2017, Salina has budgeted $90,000. Nicotra said the town’s engineering needs vary from year to year, and CHA bills Salina “on an as-needed basis.”

Nicotra said the town likely will retain Cassalia and CHA’s services for the foreseeable future.

“It’s a work in progress,” he said.

Wickman was slated to begin work at Salina on Monday, March 20.