CIVIL SERVICE STUDY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
~~
2nd Meeting
August 24, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Selectmen's Room, 1204 Main Street, Starbard Building
Members Present: Sheila Bachant, Cynthia Bazinet, Al Ferron, Anthony Gribbons, James Jumonville, Otto Lies
Members Absent: Carmelo Bazzano
Staff: Johannah Adams, Computer Project Coordinator - Police Department
_________________________________________________________________________
Called to Order: 7:05 PM
• C. Bazinet moved to accept minutes; O. Lies seconded; minutes accepted 3 in favor, 0 opposed, 3 abstained.
• O. Lies nominated Al Ferron to be Committee Chairman; S. Bachant seconded; nomination passed 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained.
• It was decided by the Committee that meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. Meetings will be held in the Selectmen's Room in the Starbard Building unless J. Jumonville notifies otherwise.
• Chairman A. Ferron prepared a handout of suggested steps for the Committee to take to reach a conclusion. He reviewed the rules of brainstorming and suggested these techniques be used by the Committee.
• A brief discussion was held regarding the possible inclusion of the Fire Chief in discussions. It was generally agreed that the purpose of the Committee is to review Civil Service as it pertains to the Chief of Police; the Holden Fire Department is not currently a Civil Service Department.
• C. Bazinet suggested and A. Gribbons agreed that in item #9 in the handout, the word "solution" be changed to "recommendation".
• O. Lies noted that once the study is completed, the Committee could either: 1) vote on what the Committee favors and present that recommendation at Town Meeting, or: 2) present all alternatives to Town Meeting. All agreed to the second approach.
• The "Personnel Administration Rules" document included in the informational packet sent out last week was brought up for review and discussion.
> "Rules" is a summary of the statute pertaining to Civil Service (MGL c.31); therefore the Town is bound by it.
> O. Lies asked about other towns (i.e. Shrewsbury) who are not bound by Civil Service law. He also noted that Holden voted to move the Chief of Police position into Civil Service in 1949.
_________________________________________________________________________
> J. Jumonville pointed out that on the "Administration and Finance" website printout, it ways that the "Rules" document is what Towns abide by if they are Civil Service. He also noted that Shrewsbury voted to take the Chief out of Civil Service but left all other Police positions in Civil Service.
• A. Gribbons clarified that all sworn positions in the Holden Police Department are Civil Service. The Fire Department and civilian (unsworn) Police positions are not.
• S. Bachant asked if Civil Service positions are open to all who have passed Civil Service exams. "Rules" (section F) appears to say positions are open to internal applicants only.
• A. Gribbons clarified that preferences (i.e. resident, son/daughter of fallen police officer, etc.) pertain to original appointments only. The list received by the Department is in order by preference.
• O. Lies asked questions regarding the procedure to request a Civil Service list, and the preferences Holden abides by.
• A. Gribbons clarified the Civil Service exam procedure, requirements, and the process by which the Town requests a Civil Service list. The applicants sign the list if they are interested; the application process begins for each applicant who signs. Holden has a "residency preference" for the original appointment to a position. To bypass a resident, a reason must be stated in writing. A person on the list is also skipped if they do not sign the list (no reason needed; not considered a bypass).
• C. Bazinet asked if test scores are shown on the list. A. Gribbons explained that a "band" system recently replaced the numerical score system, but it will soon be changed back; the band or score is shown on the list. Preference "G" adds 2 points to the exam score as a credit for 25 or more years of experience.
• A. Gribbons explained the "layoff provision" whereby officers laid off (from Civil Service positions) automatically move to the top of the list. They can be bypassed for cause. Applicants must live within 15 miles of Holden.
• A. Gribbons referred to #3 in the list of Committee objectives, regarding who the Committee should interview as a topic which should be brainstormed.
• A. Ferron asked how long it takes to get Civil Service exam results; over all it takes about 4-6 months from exam through challenge period to certification and list availability.
• A. Ferron asked how a town goes about removing themselves from Civil Service. J. Jumonville explained that it must be done via Town Meeting vote. Town Manager, however, has authority to call for a statewide Civil Service exam list for the Chief's position.
• As a next step, J. Adams and A. Gribbons agreed to gather more information regarding why certain towns (i.e. Hyannis, Shrewsbury) chose to take Chief positions out of Civil Service, and also try to obtain a list of Civil Service and non-Civil Service cities and towns.
• A. Gribbons will try to get a few Chiefs from area towns (Civil Service and non-Civil Service) to speak at our next meeting.
• A. Gribbons asked about note in The Landmark that the Committee will study all Civil Service Police positions; not just Chief. J. Jumonville clarified that Selectboard voted to call for a Committee to study Chief's position only; Landmark article was in error.
_________________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 @ 7:00 PM, Town Hall Meeting Room, 2nd Floor
Adjourned: 8:09 PM
| 
