New supe of public works hired in Hartley

Another hole in Hartley's public works department has been filled.

The city council on Monday hired Curtis Conaway as the new public works superintendent. He will succeed Jaron Benz, who is leaving the post next month for a job in the private sector.

City officials interviewed three finalists for the position. Conaway's salary was set at $85,000.

"I want to try to keep things moving in the right direction, and I feel like I have a good idea of how things work and what's going on," Conaway said about his new title.

Conaway has worked for the City of Hartley for 16 years. He previously served as a power lineman before moving over to the sewer superintendent's position around five years ago.

His training under Benz began Tuesday. Benz said right now the priority is to teach Conaway recurring monthly tasks and reporting requirements in addition to planning for future projects.

Benz, who has been with the city since 2018, will log his last day on March 31. Conaway was the council's second big hire in less than a month – Isaac Molendorp was hired Jan. 24 as new gas superintendent following the resignation on Adam Lux.

Molendorp's first day was Monday. The city will begin advertising Conaway's old sewer superintendent position immediately.