NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012
TIME: 4PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order 4pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary Winglass. The meeting was audio taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Scheduled Business
- Transfer Station Cooling Center for employees
Resident/Emergency Management Director Lawrence Foote were in attendance.
Selectman Melvin asked how the closing of the Transfer Station last Thursday came about. Town Administrator Wrigley responded that Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur came into the office on Wednesday and discussed the projected high temperature for the following day and the incident that happened last year with an employee due to the extreme heat.
With no shade at the Transfer Station and standing on pavement is not the ideal situation for the employees; Wrigley added that as the Human Resources Director for the town she was concerned for the employees. McCarthy added that it was the right thing for the right reason for the health and well being of our employees and to cover the town under risk management. We have some older employees working at the Transfer Station that we need to consider when we have extreme weather.
Wrigley explained that although they discussed closing the Transfer Station on Wednesday; a final decision was not made until later so they could make sure the weather had not changed.
The Board discussed that residents were mainly upset for they were not given enough warning. Wrigley added that once she informed callers the reason for closing the Transfer Station they understood and agreed that it was a good decision. Wrigley added that the Transfer Station Ordinance states that the town, in an emergency situation, has the right to shut down the Transfer Station for any cause.
Selectman Melvin added that when he made his decision it was based upon two things; concern of the employees but he did not know that there was an air conditioner in Kevin’s office and fans in another shed. Jolicoeur responded that the air conditioner is in the oil shed which just failed an inspection by the building department so the building cannot be used at this time. The ac is in that building due to equipment that requires temperature control.
Chairman McCarthy added that the Police Chief sent over an email stating that he has a couple of ac’s that were used at the old Police Department that are in good condition and the Transfer Station can have them. Jolicoeur’s only concern was the size of the ac and whether it is 110 or 220.
Selectman Thayer asked what singles out the other departments like the Police Department out there working in the heat; Road Crew is working and the Fire Department. McCarthy responded that they all have air conditioned places to go to or they have air conditioned vehicles. Thayer asked why we cannot do shifts, four hours in the morning and four hours in the afternoon. McCarthy responded that they still need a place to cool off in this extreme heat just as the advisory suggested.
McCarthy responded that we are going to solve this problem with the installation of an ac unit so that we have a cooling center. Melvin added that we need to stop; it is their job and if they do not want it then there are others that will do it. Jolicoeur responded that we are having a hard time keeping employees based upon the way they are treated and the amount that they are paid. Jolicoeur added that to keep our good employees we need to show them some consideration when the extreme weather happens. Melvin responded that they all know that when they go into the job. Jolicoeur responded that no one has an inkling of what they are facing when some residents come in and treat them like trash, harass and threaten them. Melvin responded that he spent some time down there campaigning and yes it was hot.
Selectman Thayer questioned why we did not use the AlertNow Telephone system to inform the residents. Jolicoeur agreed that we should use the AlertNow System to inform the residents in the future. Wrigley added that it is not Jolicoeur’s job performance in question for we all feel that he is doing a good job; we all agree that things are being fixed and what do we need to do to fix this as well. Jolicoeur added that he felt bad for the residents that loaded up their vehicles with smelly trash on a hot day and then have to bring it back home; he would be upset himself.
The Board discussed that it happened and what can we do so this does not happen again. Jolicoeur will speak with Police Chief Streeter about the ac’s that he has available to the Transfer Station.
The Board discussed that this is an administrative decision and we need to learn from this by not getting the word out sooner. A discussion took place on putting the notice out earlier on the website or on the bulletin board outside at the front of the Town Hall.
The Board discussed using the AlertNow Telephone System in the future.
Selectmen Melvin added that the second reason he agreed to close the Transfer Station is per a telephone call from Chairman McCarthy who told him that the employees will not be paid for Thursday. McCarthy responded that once she was corrected by the Town Administrator she called Melvin to inform him that per the Personnel Policies and Procedures the employees will be paid for the day. Melvin added that now that he has seen the policy he has no problem with the employees being paid for it was not their fault that they did not work that day.
McCarthy added that we can move forward with an ac unit; Jolicoeur replied that it does not cure the fact that extreme weather happens in the winter as well. Jolicoeur added that he would like to use the AlertNow System and the website email group to reach out to as many residents as possible so we can make sure it does not happen again.
McCarthy added that when the Board of Selectmen makes an administrative decision, people want to be heard and we need to listen to them and we need to explain why we did what we did. For the most part the residents understood and now we may have solved the problem.
Jolicoeur will get a hold of Streeter to see if one of the air conditioners is suitable and put it into the recycling building.
Town Administrator Wrigley asked if we are paying the employees for the day. The Board responded that it is in the Personnel Policies and Procedures that if the town, due to inclement weather or some other emergency prevents the operation of your department, you will be paid based on your normal scheduled hours worked during the period of closure. The Town Administrator, in conjunction with your Department Head, is authorized by the Board of Selectmen to determine if your department should be closed….etc.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 4:34pm. Second by Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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