A special meeting of the County of Dukes County Commissioners was held Thursday,
September 4, 2003 at 12:00 noon in the conference room of the County Administration Building, notice of such meeting having been posted as required by law.
Commissioners Present: Leonard Jason, Jr.; Robert Sawyer; Leslie Leland; John Alley, Chairman; Nelson Smith; Paul Strauss; Roger Wey.
Also Present: Marsha Smolev, Executive Assistant; Dianne Powers, Acting County Manager; Ezra Blair, MV Times; Alexis Tonti, Vineyard Gazette; Susan Wasserman; Marie Allen; Margaret Logue; Sheriff McCormack; Robert Culbert, Recreation and Water Testing Lab Director; Noreen Flanders, County Treasurer.
Chairman Alley opened the meeting at 12:02. Ms. Powers reviewed the Contract for County Manager with Mr. Davis’ revisions that included a severance payment. Mr. Davis included in his revised Contract his plan to begin work on September 9th in a pro rata part-time capacity. There was discussion about whether or not to include a precise number of sick days. Commissioner Sawyer said he disagreed with the idea, adding that a CEO determined his own circumstances. Commissioner Strauss said this had been discussed quite thoroughly at a previous meeting. Commissioner Leland still disagreed with the number of sick days being left unspecified. Ms. Wasserman indicated that she believed if the Manager didn’t manage his own sick time well there would be other issues anyway and therefore
the language as it stood was fine. Commissioner Smith referred to the issues with the previous County Manager and voiced a need for accountability perhaps not monthly, but at the end of the year. Commissioner Jason stressed that the Manager should lead by example and what was good enough for the employees should be good enough for the Manager. Commissioner Leland agreed. Commissioner Sawyer did not. Commissioners Strauss questioned the three Personal Days. Chairman Alley reminded the Commissioners that they had already negotiated the Contract with Mr. Davis and that only the highlighted points were at issue.
Commissioner Wey Moved to Accept the Contract and hire Mr. Winn Davis. Commissioner Strauss Seconded the Motion. The Vote to Approve the Motion was Unanimous. The Commissioners signed the Contract. Chairman Alley read a letter waiving the residency requirement (attached). Commissioner Strauss Moved to Approve the letter waiving residency. Commissioner Wey Seconded the Motion. Commissioner Sawyer said he thought there should be a definitive end to the waiver and that it should not be open-ended. Chairman Alley called for the vote. The Motion Carried with six Commissioners voting ‘aye’ and Commissioner Sawyer Abstaining.
Chairman Alley offered Mr. Davis congratulations. He went on to explain that he had included in the Commissioners’ packets an article from the Boston Globe regarding Mr. Davis’ status as an attorney and Mr. Davis’ explanation of where he stood on the issue (attached.) Treasurer Flanders thanked the Commissioners for moving forward, as did Commissioner Smith.
Commissioner Jason Moved that the Board recognize Ms. Powers’ yeoman service as well as how all the employees chipped in to help. Commissioner Smith Seconded the Motion. Commissioner Jason Moved to Adjourn. Commissioner Wey Seconded the Motion. The meeting adjourned at 12:20 PM.
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- JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO, JR., CLERK OF THE COURTS
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