CHILMARK PERSONNEL BOARD MEETING APRIL 5, 2007
CHILMARK TOWN HALL FINAL
CALL TO ORDER: 8:04 AM
PRESENT: Members Jennie Greene, Max McCreery and Steve Lewenberg. Also present: Staff Liaison Polly McDowell, Selectmen’s Liaison Riggs Parker, and Chuck Hodgkinson. Executive Secretary Tim Carroll, Susan Heilbron and Richard Williams were absent.
DRAFT EMPLOYEE ADMINISTRATION POLICY: Chuck H. informed the Board that a working meeting is scheduled and posted for Friday, April 27 from 10:00 am – 12 noon in the first floor conference room at Town Hall.
DRAFT EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES POLICY: Mr. Lewenberg distributed copies of the draft policy for discussion. He explained that out of pragmatic necessity a small Town cannot ban the employment of relatives and therefore should plan for exceptions. He suggested that the Board of Selectmen, at their discretion, should determine whether or not a direct reporting relationship between relatives is appropriate. He added that perhaps the Selectmen should appoint an independent third party to handle performance evaluations or other personnel discussions that might benefit the employee who is also a relative. A written copy of Mr. Williams’ comments was distributed. After discussion Mr. Lewenberg made a motion to approve Mr. Williams’ revised draft and recommend the policy to
the Board of Selectmen for approval. Mr. McCreery seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
RECRUITMENT AND HIRING PROCESS: Mr. McCreery commented that the Personnel Board should not provide a recommendation on hiring decisions for positions that are not within its department. He added that in his opinion it is important the Board maintain a neutral position and have a dispassionate role in this process. He suggested that the Board representative on a hiring committee might have an alternate role in the hiring decision should one of the members of the hiring decision team is not available to weigh in on the decision.
EMPLOYEE LIAISON: The Board asked staff liaison Polly McDowell for a brief report on how the Personnel Board and its work are perceived among employees and if there are any issues. Ms. McDowell mentioned the staff is aware of the policy work that is in development. It was suggested that perhaps the staff liaison might distribute the approved PB meeting minutes to the staff and solicit feedback -- if not already done -- to improve communication among the staff even more.
SEASONAL EMPLOYEES: As follow up to a request, Chuck H. distributed copies of an email dated 9/20/06 from the Town’s personnel legal counsel that defines seasonal employees and their rights as they relate to receiving unemployment insurance payments.
With no additional business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:28 AM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
| 
