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Minutes of Meeting
March 12, 2003
Board members present: Chairwoman Susan Abladian, James Parker, Jr., Kathy Wilfert, Lynn Watts and Mary Ellen Parker.
Also Present: Henry Danis, Jodi Ross, Denzil Drewry, Robert Cable and Joan Provost.
7:05 p.m.: PUBLIC HEARING FOR ARTICLES FOR TOWN MEETING
Ms. Wilfert read Article 8 on the Warrant, which will amend the Salary Administration Plan, Section 27 (Vacation with Pay). MOTION: Ms. Watts motioned to accept Article 8 as posted in the Warrant. Ms. Wilfert seconded and was so voted.
Ms. Parker read Article 20 on the Warrant, which will amend the Salary Administration Plan, Section 24 (Classification Plan). MOTION: Ms. Watts motioned to vote in favor of amending the Salary Administration plan as printed in the warrant. Mr. Parker seconded and was so voted.
Mr. Parker read Article 21 on the Warrant, which will amend the Salary Administration Plan, Section 25 (Sections 1 and V). MOTION: Ms. Wilfert motioned to accept Article 21 as written. Ms. Watts seconded and was so voted.
Ms. Wilfert was concerned that the re-grade process is not mentioned in the Articles. Ms. Abladian said it was her understanding that if there are minor changes, they will be accepted on the floor as part of Article 20. Mr. Danis said that the Board should contact the Town Moderator if the changes are extensive. Ms. Wilfert asked if the Board needed to hold another public hearing for any changes. Mr. Danis replied that technically a public hearing is not required, but the Board could hold a public hearing to avoid any notice issues.
HENRY DANIS, Town Administrator & JODI ROSS, Asst. Town Administrator
Mr. Danis explained that for the past 3 years, the MIS/GIS department has been built from scratch and at this point requires a slow-growth maintenance. The director resigned in January and Mr. Danis would like to take this time to analyze this relatively new department and decide within the next 6 to 8 months if the department should be run differently. He has appropriated money that would allow him, at the end of this evaluation period, to move forward quickly if needed. This time would also help the town financially. Mr. Danis said that Jodi Ross has been doing the administrative aspects of the position very well and asked the Board for $100.00/wk stipend, for an agreed upon time, be paid to Ms. Ross for these extra managerial duties. He felt that this is not picking up some extra work
within a department, but picking up a large portion of duties from a different department that normally would not be constituted within her particular area or duties.
Ms. Wilfert asked if the MIS/GIS department reports to Mr. Danis. Mr. Danis said it does and he delegated the duties to Ms. Ross because it is a day-to-day function, but he supervises the part-time employee and Ms. Ross supervises the full-time employee.
Ms. Watts asked about the length of time for the evaluation period and Mr. Danis replied up to December. Because the Board is in the process of re-grading positions, Ms. Watts was concerned about evaluating Ms. Ross
Ms. Ross submitted to the Board memos showing the accomplishments of the MIS/GIS department since she began. The critical accomplishments were incorporating reverse 911, ordering software licenses, GIS data will be corrected in two weeks, and training for six employees on the Global Positioning Unit (GPS).
Ms. Parker asked how much time is spent on this job and Ms. Ross replied that it has been close to 10 hours/wk (5 are extra working hours) and felt that it will be 7 to 8 hours out of her Asst. Coordinator job. She said that she is working a lot harder and that she has delegated some of her clerical-type duties. Ms. Parker asked if the secretaries received any compensation for the extra duties theywork, but routine work of the current filled MIS positions.
Ms. Parker said due to the current economic times and the unknown financial state of the town, more departments may need to pick up extra work in order to compensate if layoffs are needed. Ms. Parker felt that giving a stipend is setting precedence.
MOTION: Ms. Watts motioned to pay Jodi Ross a stipend of $100.00/wk effective January 27, 2003 and no later than there is a new director hired or August 31, 2003 and/or the situation has been resolved by a change of the job description for Ms. Ross. The Board requested an update in writing from Mr. Danis prior to the Board
ROBERT CABLE, Firefighter
Mr. Cable requested tuition reimbursement for Work Experience, for which he received six (6) credits from Anna Maria College. The total cost was $700.00 and he requested $560.00 (80%). Mr. Cable said the Board granted him a waiver from the maximum of 4 courses to 6 courses a year ago. Mr. Cable submitted to the Board the guidelines and a copy of his report, for which he received a pass grade. The credits replaced two general elective courses that are required to graduate. Ms. Watts felt that he could only be reimbursed for 1 course based on the Bylaw and she is philosophically opposed to paying for work experience when the town already paid him to work. Mr. Cable mentioned that he has done many voluntary things for the department and outside the department.
MOTION: Ms. Watts motioned to accept the tuition reimbursement experience for Robert Cable, and Robert Cable only, for which he received credit in lieu of class time and for which the Board will reimburse 80%. Ms. Wilfert seconded. Three voted in favor, Ms. Watts voted against, Mr. Parker abstained.
Steps approved
Joanne Morris, Admin. Asst., ZBA: H-10 Step 1 to H-10 Step 2
Kristofer Haws, Patrol Officer: P-4 Step 5 to P-4 Step Max
NAGE Steps/Evaluations
Maria E. Riggieri, Admin. Assist./Eng. Tech Aid: N-10 Step 4 to N-10 Step 5
Nancy Engberg, Library Assistant, Evaluation
Donna Martel, Reference Librarian, Evaluation
Judy Kohlstrom, Library Clerk, Evaluation
Nancy Odell, Reference Librarian, Evaluation
Approval to pay
Robert Cable, Work Experience, 2 Courses $560.00
Minutes Approved February 4 & 12 (Work sessions)
Payroll
The Board adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Approved:
Joanne M. Morris ____________________
Secretary Susan Abladian, Chairwoman
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