by Bea Peterson
The only two local candidates running in the election next Tuesday are Bill Shiland III and Louis Schmigel. They are vying for the remaining one year of the term of Town of Hoosick Highway Superintendent. The vacancy came about with the unexpected retirement of former Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland, Jr. in August. Shiland held the job for 25 years. [private]Both men had the idea of applying for the position at some point, but neither expected the opportunity to come about so soon. They thought Shiland would continue for at least another five years.
Whatever the case, they are on the ballot for the remaining one year of the term.
Shiland is on the Democrat line and Schmigel is on the Republican, Independent and Conservative lines.
Both men have plenty of experience in the field.
Louis Schmigel
Louis Schmigel, 43, a HFCS graduate, lives in Hoosick Falls with his wife Michelle and his step-son Joey. He operates Schmigel Excavating, the general excavating and paving company started by his late grandfather. He has worked in the business for 16 years doing much of the same type of work as the Highway Department. “I’ve treated people good in the Town, and I would continue to do so as Highway Superintendent,” he said. He believes the biggest learning curve would be the paperwork. “The guys there all know their jobs,” he said. “They’ve been there for years.”
Schmigel said one of the reasons he ran for and was elected Town Councilman was to gain some experience with the Town budgeting process because the Highway Department makes up a large portion of that budget. He will soon complete the third year of his four year term. Should he be elected Highway Superintendent, the Board would have to appoint someone to fill his seat for one year.
Schmigel said if he was elected Highway Superintendent he would set aside the excavating business and devote all his energies to the Town.
William Shiland III
William Shiland III, 38, a HFCS graduate, lives in Eagle Bridge with his wife Rebecca, their sons Andrew and William IV and his step-son Ryan Philpott. He has worked for the Highway Department for 17 years, and he is confident he knows the job. Working with his father, he also knows it can be a job that sometimes consumes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He feels it is important to continue to maintain and improve the Town’s roadways.
Before working for the Town Highway Department Shiland was employed by Hoosick Sand and Gravel.
Both men are comfortable with the way the Town and Village Highway Departments have shared services, and they hope the policy will continue. However, the Village Dissolution Study that is underway may bring about some changes. Schmigel is on the Study Committee and, at this point, he, like several Committee members, is unsure what will result from that Study.
Besides maintaining the 54 miles of roadway in the Town, the Highway Department is responsible for maintenance of the Town’s multi-purpose building/skating rink, the Town park and playground and the Town pool.
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