PERSONNEL BOARD
Minutes of Meeting
June 11, 2003
Board members present: Chairman Susan Abladian, James Parker, Jr., Kathy Wilfert, Lynn Watts and Mary Ellen Parker. Also present: Miriam Carpenter, Alan Dodd, Henry Danis, and nine interested parties.
7:00 p.m.: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mrs. Wilfert moved to nominate Susan Abladian as Chairman and James Parker as Vice-Chairman of the Personnel Board. Mrs. Watts seconded and was so voted.
MIRIAM CARPENTER – BOS ADMINISTRATIVE ASST.
Ms. Carpenter requested that the Board carefully consider all sides of the issue concerning the proposed restructuring of the Selectmen’s office from two part-time employees to one full-time. She felt that the Board has the power, under Article 13/Section 6/last paragraph, to not act on the proposed amendment and after 15 days of the public hearing, the Board shall be deem to have disapproved the proposed amendment and the petition may be presented as an article at the Town Meeting according to the Bylaw. Ms. Carpenter requested that the Board fail to act on the proposed restructuring amendment and the decision would then be made at Town Meeting where the voters would decide. Mrs. Wilfert mentioned that this was a general meeting, not a public meeting for which legal notice was given.
Ms. Carpenter referenced Mr. Danis’s letter of May 14th to the Finance Committee that said the proposed restructuring would save the town $4,000. She felt that the restructuring would create additional costs to the town. Cost cuts she suggested in the current structure were; reduce the 24-hour part-time Administrative Asst. to 20 hours ($3,549), and contract the parking clerk duties to a deputy collector ($1,000).
Ms. Carpenter felt that additional expenses would be incurred by hiring a new employee, such as the new employee enrolling in family benefits, which would cost the town $8,489 verses $3,255 (the town currently pays for one single enrollment). Also, she found a study that showed the estimated cost of replacing an employee is 97% of the annual salary, which would be approximately $34,700. Ms. Carpenter estimated it would cost the town $39,000 to replace the two current employees. She said that she had researched studies that show many advantages with flexible work hours and questioned how the proposed restructuring could possibly be in the best interest of the town.
Mrs. Abladian read a letter from Alan Dodd, Town Counsel, dated June 9, 2003, to Susan Abladian in response to Ms. Carpenter’s previously submitted questions. The letter discusses retirement and sick-leave buy-back procedures. Mr. Dodd explained that the starting point for the retirement procedure is with the Treasurer. Mrs. Abladian explained the sick-leave buy-back was for people who voluntarily retire, according to the Bylaw. Mrs. Watts said that the Board had not faced layoffs before and would review changes that may need to be made to the Bylaws concerning this issue. Mr. Dodd’s letter also explains that the Personnel Board has the right to approve or disapprove the classification and salary of a new or revised position and has no role, other than advisory, with the selection and
supervision of Town employees.
Clifford Yarosh, 3 Fay Street, asked if an employee could receive sick-leave buy-back if it’s not mentioned in the Bylaws. The Board and Mr. Dodd agreed that it would be up to the Board since it was not covered by the Bylaws. Elizabeth Amoroso, 32 Church Street, asked if a person’s job is going to be eliminated and they are old enough to retire, would they be offered the opportunity to retire. Mrs. Abladian and Mrs. Wilfert believed that they could and Mr. Danis said it is a personal choice to retire. Mrs. Amoroso also asked if the cost of unemployment and the possibility of an age discrimination lawsuit were considered as part of the restructuring costs. Mrs. Wilfert replied the Board does not have that information.
The Board advised Ms. Carpenter to carefully evaluate her options and the benefits that go with and without retiring.
HENRY DANIS – TOWN COORDINATOR
Mr. Danis requested taking two part-time positions totaling 44 hours and creating one full-time position, 40 hours/wk. He felt that this would be more beneficial to the office. Mrs. Abladian suggested leaving the two part-time positions on the Salary Administration Plan, but do not fund them, in case they are needed in the future. Mr. Danis replied that he did not object, but could not see a future need for both. The Board will discuss.
Mr. Danis explained the new job description was the standard administrative job description they have been using with the following two changes: Incorporating the parking clerk duties and eliminating the stipend; and covering the Board of Selectmen’s meetings if the primary assistant is not available.
MOTION: Mrs. Watts moved that the Board of Selectmen be allocated one, 40-hour Administrative Assistant. Mrs. Parker seconded and was so voted. The Board noted that this can take effect but is still pending Town Meeting approval.
MOTION: Mrs. Watts moved that this Administrative Asst. position be grade H-10 as all other Administrative Assistants. Mr. Parker seconded and was so voted.
Ms. Carpenter requested that a list of her questions be read into the minutes. The Chairman declined to read them, as they are not within the Board’s area of control or oversight.
Evaluation
Judi Masters, Library Assistant H-8 Step Max
Steps approved
Maryanne Bilodeau, Assist. Treasurer/Collector S-19 Step 3 to S-19 Step 4
Michael Shannon, Maint. Craftsperson W-3 Step 4 to W-3 Step 5
Patrick Ayres, DPW (Seasonal) M-6 Step 1
Approval to take
Jodi Ross, Clark, 1 Course $1300.00
Pat Horrigan, replace Art with American Cinemas
Approval to pay
Patricia Horrigan, Assumption, 1 Course $ 484.80
Maryanne Bilodeau, Nichols, 2 Courses $1097.60
Patrick Purcell, Anna Maria, 1 Course $ 840.00
Chris Knight, Anna Maria, 2 Courses $1680.00
NAGE Steps/Evaluations
Lois Whalen, Admin. Assistant N-10 Step Max, Evaluation
Minutes Approved – May 14 (Regular & Work session)
Payroll – May and June
The Board adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Approved:
Joanne Morris _______________________
Secretary Susan Abladian, Chairman
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