"An old hand" with a lot of experience seems to me to be the answer even more so in challenging times, just saying, especially with all the uncertainties with municipal finances due to the Covid crisis, weather calamities like the storm that dumped what, 5 feet of snow in Lancaster, or even down to the equipment knowledge and work-around plans for the unexpected. I'd say a stable steady path is a better bet for the Highway Superintendent. Having someone in this important position who clearly knows the department is so much better than having such a newbie.