T o w n o f C h i l m a r k P e r s o n n e l B o a r d
M i n u t e s
Thursday October 30, 2009
Chilmark Town Hall
8am
Present: Max McCreery (Chair), Jennie Greene, Frank Lo Russo, Stephen Lewenberg
Also Present: J.B. Riggs Parker (Selectman representative), Marina Lent (Personnel Board Secretary), Randhi Belain (Chief of Police, Aquinnah, Chair, Tri-Town Ambulance Committee)
Absent: Tim Carroll (Executive Secretary)
Library and Holiday Pay: Max McCreery introduced an inquiry from Library Director to Executive Secretary Tim Carroll on October 29th, regarding holiday pay for Library employees, which Tim had forwarded to Max for information and then responded to. The Board was unable to determine the answer to the Library Director’s question without information from Tim Carroll, and noted that his absence was preventing the Board from doing its work efficiently. Max McCreery said he would speak to Tim about the problem of his lack of attendance at Personnel Board meetings.
Paramedic Position Description Randhi Belain introduced the position description for a Tri-Town Ambulance Paramedic (or more than one paramedic) to cover the 30 hours per week day time shifts that ALS Supervisor Bob Bellinger is not available. He stated that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services had made it clear that the requirements for maintaining ALS level service under a Paramedic/Basic waiver would no longer allow the Tri-Town Ambulance to rely on mutual aid paramedics from other towns to staff the ambulance: 24-7 paramedic coverage is a requirement for continuing to operate at the ALS level. Tri-Town ambulance has one duty medic four 10-hour days per week, and a duty medic covering Tri-Town and Vineyard Haven for 14-hour night
shifts. This leaves a gap of three 10-hour days during which the Tri-Town Ambulance does not have paramedic coverage.
The Oak Bluffs Ambulance has offered a per diem paramedic during the interim until Tri-Town is able to hire coverage for the three days per week required for ALS service.
The position is advertised as “seasonal”, meaning that it is not intended as a year-round, benefitted position at this time. Chief Belain noted that the Tri-Town Ambulance will likely hire for such a position in the future, and that on-Island EMTs are close to finishing their paramedic training in the coming year. This position now is to fill the gap until the end of the fiscal year.
Riggs Parker noted that fulfilling the requirements for ALS service will require increased funding for the Ambulance, but he felt that this is a service that the towns should be providing.
The Board approved the Paramedic position description at a grade 8, step 1, for 30 hours per week. This position could be filled by one, two or three individuals.
Jennie Greene agreed to contact Randhi Belain with final language for the advertisement.
Introductory Letter on the Bylaw Revision Project the Board reviewed a draft letter submitted by Stephen Lewenberg introducing the revised Human Resources Bylaw and Procedure Manual to Chilmark Department Heads and Staff. The Board made minor changes to the letter.
Draft Procedure Manual Max McCreery reported on his review of Draft 7 of the Human Resources Procedure Manual with Marina Lent; while most outstanding issues have been clarified, he felt that more work was needed to finalize one or two outstanding questions. Jennie Greene and Max McCreery agreed to meet outside of the Board meeting to look at the final revision of the HRPM. They will contact Susan Heilbron and/or Chuck Hodgekinson for consult.
Performance Evaluation Process The Board discussed the Goals and Objectives component of the performance evaluation process.. Stephen Lewenberg clarified that Goals and Objectives could be based on the functions listed in the position description, and would thereby highlight those functions which should be prioritized over the upcoming year.
The meeting adjourned at 9:33 am.
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