WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. -- Just like New York summers, the Arsenal's summer hires are great when we have them but we don't have them long enough, said the Arsenal's public works roads and grounds work leader.
"These are great kids and I wish I could keep them throughout the year," said Jesus Guerra.
Each year, the Arsenal hires high school and college students to assist its public works personnel in the maintenance of the 143-acre installation. Just about every summer outdoor project that one may have around their house is also required at the Arsenal, and given the Arsenal has only two full-time grounds keepers these students provide an invaluable service when it is most needed.
"We had an early summer this year and in a very short time we became overwhelmed by landscaping requirements," Guerra said. "In early April, we were being asked why we weren't trimming the hedges or cutting the lawns, which usually don't occur until late May."
The Arsenal Public Works hired five students this year to work for Guerra and they will work from late June to late August, working 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, doing landscaping and painting.
Guerra's youngest summer hire is Michael Garramone, an incoming 11th grade student at Greenville High School.
"This is my first job ever and I love this place," Garramone said. "Everyone is so nice and I'm learning a lot of skills that I can use the rest of my life."
Garramone said he plans to use his summer earnings to pay off a few car mechanic bills and to start saving for college.
One of the more senior student hires is Mike Palmieri, who will enter his senior year at Oneonta College this fall, said that he is very appreciative just to be working.
"I have tons of friends who can't get a job and so, I feel very lucky to work at the Arsenal," Palmieri said
This is Palmieri's third year working at the Arsenal and he said he plans to use his summer earnings to help pay for his apartment this coming school year. His studies are in English and music. He also plays at least five different instruments, which must work out well for the band he plays in called the "Samurai Pizza Cats."
The other summer hire students have similar stories.
John Moody, who will be attending Penn State University this fall, said his work at the Arsenal is a great first job because of the independence he has to do his work. He will major in English and will use his income to help pay his college expenses.
Sean Plaske, who has worked at the Arsenal the previous two summers and is a computer science student at Hudson Valley Community College, said he loves this job because he is treated like an adult. He added that when he graduates next year, he would like to get a job in the Arsenal's Information Management office.
Josh Schaninger, who also has worked at the Arsenal the previous two summers, will enter his sophomore year at Oneonta College this fall majoring in Professional Accounting. He said this is the best job any student could get because he learns something new every day, there is great leadership, and he likes hearing about the history of the Arsenal.
Now that the summer is half over, Guerra is working hard to ensure that his summer help will get all the painting and trimming done before the students head back to school.
"Quite simply, we couldn't maintain the Arsenal's 143 acres without the support of our summer hires," Guerra said. "They are that important."
The Watervliet Arsenal (pronounced water-vleet") is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility located in Watervliet, New York. The Arsenal is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812.
Today's Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high tech, high powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $100 million.
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