Pike hires add to 'burden'

(Report 3-18-09-01)

Critics slam pricey personnel

by Hillary Chabot
DNN Reports!
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2009

The soon-to-be-defunct Turnpike Authority, which is poised to foist painful toll hikes on motorists, has quietly put at least two new high-priced staffers on its payroll - both of them retreads from the state transportation department, DNN has learned.

The two staff members were shuffled over from the executive office of transportation within the last three months, even as administration officials were telling lawmakers the Pike was in desperate need of cash.

“I find no excuse whatsoever to be hiring at the Pike unless there is a justified emergency,” said Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “The last thing we should do is burden this agency with more expenses.”

Trellis Stepter, who earned $84,000 as a legislative agent for former Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen, was hired as a $90,000-a-year manager of special projects shortly after Cohen stepped down in January.

Robert Rooney, a former $123,000-a-year deputy secretary of public works in the transportation office, is now a $122,000-a-year assistant chief engineer with the Pike. Half his salary is paid by his old department.

Turnpike Authority executive director Alan LeBovidge said the agency has hired new personnel only “as needed” - without explaining why any new positions are necessary.

Montigny didn’t understand how Stepter’s and Rooney’s new jobs constituted an emergency.

“This is exactly why the public has had it. There shouldn’t be any increase in tolls or gas tax until reforms are in place,” he said.

LeBovidge acknowledged in a transportation hearing yesterday that higher tolls - the first round of which kick in March 29 - are needed to cover a $100 million funding gap. Tolls will jump to $1.50 inside Route 128, while the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels will cost $5.50.

Six months ago, the administration unveiled a plan to cut more than 100 toll takers over an 18-month period, but so far the Pike has shed only 48 due to retirements and voluntary departures, LeBovidge said. The agency still employs 424 toll takers.

Gov. Patrick pointed to initial reforms at the embattled agency last month when he asked the Legislature to approve a 19-cent gas tax hike, but lawmakers loudly doubted the depths of those reforms yesterday.

“We are not going to get the public to step up and put more on the table when they can clearly see there isn’t enough that’s been done,” said Rep. Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee).