Ed Trimble has worked for village nearly 40 years
Ed Trimble will retire from the Cold Spring Highway Department on Sept. 29, after 38 years, the last 18 as foreman. He is by far the most senior of village employees. His departure will make Cold Spring Police Department officer Ed Boulanger the longest tenured employee, at 29 years.
Accepting Trimble’s resignation at a meeting of the Cold Spring Village Board on Sept. 7, Mayor Dave Merandy said: “This is a tough one. He kept everything moving and saved us tons of money.” The Village is now advertising for his successor.
After finally tracking Trimble down (he’s rarely in one place for long), Michael Turton spoke with him about his career and plans. Trimble’s responses have been edited.
Were you born in Cold Spring?
Yes, at Butterfield Hospital, and I went to Haldane. My family lived on Furnace Street.
How did you get started with the highway department?
It was 1978. I was in high school and came here looking for a summer job – Joe Perc [Percacciolo] turned me onto it. I’ve been here ever since.
What was the work like at first?
I was a laborer. We used to jump on the back of the trucks and do all the sanding by hand — the whole village. Back then we did just the hills.
What do you like least about being foreman?
Dealing with the public. I try and fly under the radar. The more people don’t bother you, the more you can get done.
Is it easier to maintain the roads now than in the past?
It’s more difficult. There’s a lot more traffic, more people. The village streets turned into parking lots. When I first started here there were a lot of empty parking spaces.
You’re often praised for your ability as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator. Have you had a lot of training?
I’m self-taught. Before working for the village my friend’s father had a backhoe that we played on all the time. And before we were even driving, Carl Frisenda [now Philipstown Highway Superintendent] and I used to drive his father’s old dump truck all over their property. That’s how I learned.
What will you do when you retire?
I’m going to take a year off, then likely go back to work doing something part-time. A little excavating probably.
What do you do for fun?
I like fishing on the Hudson River and out on the [Long Island] Sound, too. And I like to hunt deer. And wild turkey; it’s like a giant partridge, white meat — it’s beautiful.
Quick answers: Yankees or Mets? Jets or Giants? Islanders or Rangers?
Yankees, Giants and Rangers.
What’s on your favorite pizza?
Eggplant.
Is there a project you’d really like to finish before you’re done?
New blacktop and drainage on Bank Street. But I think my time will run out.
Is there a project you’re most proud of?
Probably the riverfront. We put in all the rock, did all the prep for the brickwork. We did a lot of work down there. That and the fact that in 38 years on the job I haven’t had an accident.
Did you ever imagine you’d be on the job for 38 years?
No [laughs]. Do you know how many times I wanted to tell people off? I just barely made it, I think.
Putnam County’s Longest Serving
Emily Gerluch, County Clerk’s Office, 50 years
Susan Springer, Personnel Department, 44 years
Susan O’Rourke, Personnel Department, 42 years
