Dryden approves new position for Dryden Fiber

Town of Dryden officials recently approved a position for its Dryden Fiber project — and a candidate could be in place.

The Dryden Town Board unanimously approved the creation of an executive director position at its Feb. 8 meeting. The board members, including deputy supervisor Dan Lamb, immediately suggested David Makar to fill the role.

Last summer, the town hired Makar as Dryden Fiber’s broadband marketer. Makar, a former deputy town supervisor in the early 2000s, was paid $16,700 to create and execute a marketing proposal for the ongoing $15 million broadband service project.

According to the job description, the town is seeking an “experienced and visionary” executive director to lead Dryden Fiber’s organization of broadband internet services. Dryden Fiber, which began service in November 2022, is the first municipal broadband service provider in New York state.

The role of executive director would have a slew of responsibilities, including strategic leadership, financial management, team leadership, customer focus, regulatory compliance and more.

Town Supervisor Jason Leifer said that the position is needed as Dryden Fiber takes on “a lot more subscribers” since the project began in 2019. The job description notes that the salary for the position is $75,000 per year.

“I feel like we need to get this going,” Leifer said.

Lamb mentioned that the town is planning to apply for “big” grant programs in the future to assist in funding the project.

“We’ve gotten to the point where we have a lot more money coming in. We’re going to have a multimillion dollar year with this project,” Lamb said, noting that the work needs to be placed in a progressional position. “There’s a lot of money and a lot of vendors that need to [be monitored] and ensure accountability.”

The discussion led to Lamb not only praising Makar’s work, but acclaiming him as the best fit for the executive director position.

“[Makar] is capable of this work and fully understands the project,” Lamb said. “He understands Dryden, having been on the town board in the past.”

Lamb and Leifer were both thinking that Makar could start his new position last week. Lamb added that there’s a March 8 deadline to submit an application for an “important” fellowship grant.

“[Makar] would be a steal,” Lamb said, noting that Makar can fill out grant applications. “He has an attachment to this project and public service that has its own intrinsic value that goes beyond a paycheck.”

Leifer said that Makar’s salary would be covered by money from the project. Lamb added that Makar would be considered an independent contractor and not an employee.

“We’d now have a point of information on this [position],” Lamb said. “[Makar] would be keeping tabs on installers, customer service work and work with [HUNT] engineers.”

Amanda Anderson, the town’s human resources director and bookkeeper, said that the town needs proof that Makar is an independent contractor, if the New York State Department of Labor requests specific information on the position.

Leifer said that Makar is already under contract as marketing coordinator, but a new contract and agreement would need to be made for the executive director role.

“The contract needs to be structured in such a way that it protects the town and Makar,” Anderson said.

The concrete start date for the position was not given, but Lamb said it depends on when the review of information regarding the new contract and agreement is completed. Officials noted that the position itself needs to be filled around March 1.

The town’s broadband internet service is currently available in the hamlet of Varna, the Route 13/Route 366 intersection, Etna, the village of Freeville and the Yellow Barn Road neighborhood.

More information on the project is available at drydenfiber.com.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Egg Hunt in Dryden is March 30

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department announced that the annual egg hunt is scheduled for March 30 in the village of Dryden.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will take place at Montgomery Park on Elm Street. The Dryden Fire Department is bringing the Easter Bunny to the egg hunt as a special guest.

More Easter-based programming will be held at Southworth Library in the village at 10:30 a.m.

Dryden Recreation Department details this year’s summer camp

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department recently announced details for its upcoming  summer camp.

Due to construction at Dryden and Freeville Elementary schools, summer camp will be held at Cassavant Elementary School. The camp will run for six weeks between July 8 and Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. There will be 40 spots available for children entering kindergarten to fifth grade.

Camp registration will open in the spring. For information or questions, email recreation@dryden.ny.us.