Name: Esther Blow
System: Grand Isle Fire District 4
Job Title: Clerk/Treasurer
Tell us about your career in the water industry.
I have been the clerk/treasurer for the fire district for 36 years. It has been a part-time, flexible position. I plan on retiring within one to two years. This job was kind of thrown at me—in December 1989, the Chairman asked me to help and said they really needed me. I was reluctant, but agreed.
We have 386 customers and serve mostly residences. We will have a few new connections this summer. We also have fees for irrigation and greenhouses and different categories of animals.
Esther Blow
My father was a captain on the Lake Champlain Ferries [Esther’s son is also!] and I met my husband at the Grand Isle Ferry Dock Snack Bar, working for his mother. We had 52 years together and he passed away eight years ago. I was born in Burlington and grew up in Hague, NY, but Grand Isle is home. I worked on the ferry Valcour, at the Burlington crossing.
Name: Esther Blow
System: Grand Isle Fire District 4
Job Title: Clerk/Treasurer
Esther Blow
Tell us about your career in the water industry.
I have been the clerk/treasurer for the fire district for 36 years. It has been a part-time, flexible position. I plan on retiring within one to two years. This job was kind of thrown at me—in December 1989, the Chairman asked me to help and said they really needed me. I was reluctant, but agreed.
We have 386 customers and serve mostly residences. We will have a few new connections this summer. We also have fees for irrigation and greenhouses and different categories of animals.
My father was a captain on the Lake Champlain Ferries [Esther’s son is also!] and I met my husband at the Grand Isle Ferry Dock Snack Bar, working for his mother. We had 52 years together and he passed away eight years ago. I was born in Burlington and grew up in Hague, NY, but Grand Isle is home. I worked on the ferry Valcour, at the Burlington crossing.
Do you have a favorite story or memory?
I enjoy working with the customers—especially one who reach out to make a deal for paying their bill. I also appreciate working with many of the board members.
What is your favorite part of the job? Least favorite?
The treasurer part of the job is my favorite—I enjoy working with the money. I liked it all at first but now its getting harder with more requirements. I don’t like having to take the minutes and get them corrected in seven days—no one really comes to our meetings.
What’s your proudest moment of your career?
I really just like the job and being able to take care of relatives and still do the work. The flexible schedule allows you be able to work if you’re sick or have other responsibilities. I am also proud that we did our own service line inventory.
How have you seen the water industry change over the years?
We expanded our treatment plant and added filters. It was fun to watch the construction. We are all like family here—some of us are actually related but not everyone! We all get along and it’s a nice group that works together well. And we haven’t had any issues finding new board members, unlike other fire districts.
This can be a hard job that gets little thanks. What kept you motivated?
The people! I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
Do you have any advice for new workers in the water industry?
This is an interesting job—its hands-on work, and working with figures and numbers. My advice is to keep duplicates and backups of all of your files!
How do you plan to spend your retirement?
I plan to start by going through stuff in my house and being with my friends. It’s nice to just go to Wally’s [in South Hero] and eat bagels together. I’m a homebody, but maybe I will do another cruise someday.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I just like to do the work and be able to help people. This is my second home here at the treatment plant—I run errands to grab things the operators need. People in this industry need to be able to be flexible, and able to deal with whatever comes up and whenever it comes up.
Thank you, Esther, and to all of Vermont’s water and wastewater heroes who perform essential services to protect the health and environment of our communities!
Do you know a Water Hero who should be featured here? Email info@vtruralwater.org