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Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN • 40 OLD FARMS ROAD • WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 • (860) 487-3100 • FAX (860) 487-3103
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING MAR. 12, 2007
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 5:30 P.M.
First Selectman Eldredge called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Patton and Lewis, L. Nicholls and residents.
PUBLIC WORKS
The Board signed bills and time cards. Glenn Chevalier, of St. Moritz Circle, was present to discuss water that comes down his driveway from the road whenever there is a heavy storm. This last storm he had 4” of water in his garage, he managed to stop the water before it went into his family room. Lynn commented this has been an on going problem. Lucien Bessette commented it needs milling. Selectman Patton commented create a channel to the basin. Discussion on milling and creating a channel followed. Selectman Patton invited Mr. Chevalier to attend the Board of Finance meeting on Thursday, explaining we have 800 catch basins, 70 miles of road and 3 Public Works guys. First Selectman Eldredge asked how can we get something to mill it? Lynn commented we can rent one. Selectman Lewis asked does it have to do with the method of plowing? Lynn commented a little. Selectman Lewis asked is it time to have a school circle one morning a week to pick a subject and go over it for 15
or 30 minutes. Lynn commented these are not new employees. Selectman Lewis commented a reminder might be worth it. First Selectman Eldredge asked were the catch basins uncovered during plowing? Mr. Chevalier replied no, they might have thought it was pushed back. Selectman Patton asked is this a problem all over Town? Lynn commented Jared Sparks and Turnpike Roads but most of the roads are okay. Lucien commented the major thing is the roads have not been edged in years. Lynn commented not edging is undermining the roads. Mr. Chevalier spoke about a crack in the center of his driveway. This could be from ground water. Mr. Chevalier commented he wants to put in a new driveway but does not want to do anything until the road problem is fixed. First Selectman Eldredge commented I am sorry this happened, we will try to get there to take care of the situation. Lynn commented she wanted to talk about the grievances. First Selectman Eldredge commented it should be in executive
session. Lynn commented we are just talking comments, no names. Selectman Patton commented we did not have any grievances in a year and then have 6 in a week; I do have an issue with filing a grievance on a backhoe and then when it is red tagged claim that you can’t use it. Something seems to be wrong, when union members put a grievance in for the backhoe saying it is unsafe because the tires are bald so we red tag it and then they complain because they can’t use the backhoe. It seems kind of bazaar. First Selectman Eldredge commented we used the backhoe on Thursday. Lynn commented I didn’t know about the grievance until Thursday night and I red tagged it Friday morning. First Selectman Eldredge commented we still have to operate the Transfer Station. Lynn commented the minute I red tag something that means it shouldn’t be touched. If the union employees felt uncomfortable driving it they shouldn’t have
been driving it. Selectman Patton asked is it a safety factor or is it just a way to harass management? I can certainly understand if you feel it is a safety issue. You can’t say we are feeling really uncomfortable, this is a safety issue and turn around and use the equipment; and complain because you can’t use it and keep complaining until you get to use it. There is a whole bunch of creditability that goes out the window. Selectman Lewis commented what about the grievance about not using the backhoe, when the red tag was taken off it so they could use it, there is a whole confusing mess here, you opened the Town to serious liability. First Selectman Eldredge commented right but they have been using it. Lou commented but when they complain about being uncomfortable running it because the tires are bald it is up to the supervisor to red tag it so nobody can use it. It becomes a safety issue and then you get ordered to take
the tag off, where is the safety issue? Selectman Lewis asked what is the union going to do? It was red tagged because the union put in a complaint. First Selectman Eldredge commented because the tires needed replacement and the tires needed
SPECIAL MEETING -2- MAR. 12, 2007
replacement since Sept. Lynn commented they haven’t needed to be replaced since Sept. I have been getting prices since Sept. when you kept telling me to go get more prices, go get more. There is really nothing wrong with those tires as long as you are not going 90 down the street. First Selectman Eldredge commented right so you could easily drive it up to the Transfer Station. Lynn commented the minute I got the union grievance I red tagged it until the tires come in. First Selectman Eldredge commented if you are going to red tag something you have to have another piece of equipment to keep the Transfer Station open. Lynn commented no you don’t. First Selectman Eldredge commented you make it an almost impossible situation to run the Transfer Station. Selectman
Patton asked did you ever run the Transfer Station without a backhoe? Lynn commented yes we have. First Selectman Eldredge commented of course we have but it makes it an almost impossible situation; when we had the backhoe down for an extended period of time we also had another vehicle there. Selectman Lewis asked what does that do to the Town’s liability? Once they have a grievance against using it, to say okay go ahead and use it and the situation hasn’t change, what does that do to the Town’s liability? First Selectman Eldredge commented the grievance was that the tires need replacement. Selectman Patton commented to me it is a simple matter of credibility, you have union members that file a grievance, it is a “safety” issue; when they come in on Saturday morning and see that they can’t use it, I assume that they called you and said we can’t use the backhoe. First Selectman Eldredge commented that’s correct. Selectman Patton commented they are now complaining they can’t
use the same equipment that they said was a safety issue. It is inconceivable, in my mind, how they can do that in good conscience, how do you file a grievance and at the same time complain that you can’t use it? It is an abuse of the grievance process. I really don’t want to let this thing go, all it said was union members, I want to know who filed the grievance because I think it is an absolute abuse. Lynn commented the other problem I am having with this is, I thought according to the policy, if the employee had a problem they were supposed to go to their immediate supervisor first. It seems like they totally ignore me and they are going directly to the First Selectman, I thought the Board ran Public Works. Selectman Lewis asked did they call you first? Lynn commented no they did not call me at all. The First Selectman called me. Selectman Patton commented that’s absolutely wrong too. Why would they
not call their supervisor? First Selectman Eldredge commented you mean to be able to use the backhoe? They called me on Saturday morning to say they had a red tag and could not use the backhoe. Selectman Patton commented Lynn’s point is why did they not call their supervisor? First Selectman Eldredge commented I don’t know why they did not call their supervisor. First Selectman Eldredge asked Lynn had they discussed the backhoe with you at any other time? Lynn replied no. First Selectman Eldredge commented you were aware that the backhoe needed tires. Lynn replied yes. First Selectman Eldredge commented we have been using the backhoe, have we not? Lynn commented we used the backhoe up until Thursday night when I walked in and found out there was a grievance against it. The next morning that thing got red tagged. I was not in Public Works when they came in on Wednesday. That backhoe was
sick yet they took the liberty; the backhoe was totally put together yet they took the liberty to jump-start a machine when it didn’t need it. First Selectman Eldredge asked have we been jump starting the backhoe? Lynn commented there was a problem with the alternator, it was fixed the other day, and the battery box was altogether, the cables back on the battery. Without even trying to start the machine they go and jump start it. First Selectman Eldredge commented that was based evidently on they had been jump-starting it before. Lynn commented but then the battery box was always open and the cables were off the battery. Since the machine was totally back together why didn’t they try the machine before they jump started it. These are not equipment operators; they don’t know what they are doing. It is a joke with them as far as what they are doing and the whole union stuff and the grievances. They never want to
call me they just do what they want. First Selectman Eldredge commented I think we have to answer the grievances. Selectman Lewis asked how can you answer the grievance that you just over rode and let them use the vehicle that was grieved? Selectman Patton commented quite frankly the backhoe was not a safety issue; there was no reason for the grievance to be filed to begin with. Obviously since on Saturday morning they thought enough of the backhoe that they complained they couldn’t use it. Having tires that need thread is not a safety issue when you drive it from the Public Works Garage to the Transfer Station, it is absolutely ridiculous, and it is obvious to me that this was nothing more than their attempt to cause a problem, which they did. I think it is some sort of unfair labor practice on the part of the union. First Selectman Eldredge commented they have the right to file a grievance. Selectman Patton commented no, first
they have to start at the lowest level before a grievance; second you can’t purposely cause to file a grievance, which obviously they did. It was a frivolous grievance because they filed it
SPECIAL MEETING -3- MAR. 12, 2007
on Wednesday or Thursday and Saturday they are complaining they can’t use it. First Selectman Eldredge commented it wasn’t a safety issue that you couldn’t use the backhoe. Selectman Patton commented so if we all agree it is not a safety issue, what kind of issue is it? It is an issue of just trying to cause trouble for management. It is not a proper tool, the union should be brought to task for it. Selectman Lewis commented they didn’t follow proper procedure by not going through their supervisor first. Lynn commented on any of these grievances. Selectman Patton commented on some of them you can understand since it is about your actions regarding the employee. First Selectman Eldredge commented in my opinion there was no safety issue to use the
backhoe at the Transfer Station. Did we use the backhoe today? Lynn commented yes, because you took the red tag off, with an equipment operator. I said Saturday, if you want I will call in an equipment operator. First Selectman Eldredge commented that wouldn’t make a difference if something is red tagged whether it is an equipment operator. Lynn commented the two that filed the grievance are transfer station operators, they are not equipment operators; they filed a grievance they are uncomfortable operating it; an equipment operator wouldn’t have a problem with it. First Selectman Eldredge commented I think it said all Public Works employees. Lynn commented it said union members Transfer Station department. Lynn showed the grievance to the First Selectman, that’s what it said. Lynn commented I am having a real problem with a few employees and you guys know it. It is really becoming hard whether I can even
talk to these guys because every time I ask them to do something it is turning into a grievance. The problem is they are going right to the First Selectman’s office instead of to my office. Some of the stuff is being said in front of the crew foreman and my secretary and it is funny how the words get turned around in a grievance. It is starting a real problem up at Public Works. Lou commented there is a division. First Selectman Eldredge commented don’t mention any names. Lou commented it is a situation where they don’t like to have a women supervisor; they would just as soon over ride her and go to you. Because I have a good rapport with my supervisor now I am a bad guy with you and a lot of other people. First Selectman Eldredge commented I don’t think you are a bad guy with me Lou. Lou commented that’s not true. First Selectman Eldredge commented this should be done in executive session
with the other guys present. Lou commented all I am saying is there is division; whenever there is a problem at the Transfer Station with those employees you stick right up for them and I would like to know why. First Selectman Eldredge asked because I told them to take the red tag off and use the backhoe? Lou commented no, I am talking about any issue that comes up with the Transfer Station employees, you are behind them 100%. I did something and you couldn’t wait to put a letter in my file, I didn’t see any backing there. First Selectman Eldredge commented I think this should not be discussed. Lou commented let’s discuss it. First Selectman Eldredge commented I think it would be better to get everyone involved, bring in everyone from Public Works so they can say their piece too. Lou commented we tried meetings and the ones that had the most problem wouldn’t even open their mouth, they just sat there.
First Selectman Eldredge commented people do that sometimes, I agree with you. Selectman Lewis commented I think we need to follow procedures. Mike, if you get a phone call directly ask have you gone to your supervisor, I should not be talking to you until you go to your supervisor. That would help, in the past you said they can always come to me but it is not the proper procedure. Now it is obvious procedures need to be followed because grievances are going in. First Selectman Eldredge commented I have to agree with you, I think it would be good if they did discuss anything on that level. Selectman Lewis commented I think you should enforce that when people call you directly. Maybe that would reinforce the idea that if they are going to put in grievances they have to follow procedures. When you have a union in place you have to follow procedure. Mr. Chevalier asked if there is a union steward who could act as a buffer
between management and union. The guys should be talking to the steward and he should be talking to the supervisor. First Selectman Eldredge commented I can agree with that one. Lynn commented with a small department it is hard and we try to work as a team. They should follow procedures when things start to fall apart; we have to many outside sources trying to interfere. Lynn commented on the good side, Jeff Prusak donated 14 brand new mailboxes to Public Works. Furnace Brothers’ father died Sat. night. First Selectman Eldredge asked can you give me a date for GASB, how much we have to do and when we will have a tentative schedule developed for that. Lynn commented I am working on it as fast as possible, but with things like this I keep getting thrown aside and have to concentrate on this stuff, I worked on GASB today. First Selectman Eldredge commented I just want to know where we have to go from here, how much we have
done and how much we have to do, the percentages. Selectman Lewis asked how did you make out today? Lynn commented it worked out very well with the laptop, the first time we used it. It is easier to input everything; I
SPECIAL MEETING -4- MAR. 12, 2007
am using it on Turnpike because Karl wanted some identification marks because of the drainage systems we want to work on this summer. It is going to save a lot of time using the laptop. Selectman Patton asked do you have any other information on the other roads. Lynn commented I can give you a list Thursday night of the ones that are 100% done. First Selectman Eldredge commented I just want to get a feel of how much more, percentage wise, we have to do and tentatively how long it would take to do that. Lynn commented once we finish it Karl will set up a spreadsheet with everything on it, from there once we get all the figures it will go to Donna. First Selectman Eldredge commented I just want our part Karl is always swamped. Lynn commented if I am left along and keep on it, Val
started back on Mondays today for a while until we get this thing done. I can tell you by Thursday night how much I have to finish. Selectman Lewis asked do we need Val more hours to get it done? Lynn commented that’s why I brought her in on Mondays. Further discussion on finishing GASB followed. First Selectman Eldredge commented once you make an analysis of how much percentage of the Town you have to go, how many roads basic percentage, you should be able to give us some idea, are we looking at a month, 2 months, 3 or 4 months out before we get our portion done, before we give it to Karl, that’s what I am looking for. Discussion followed about how many days the grievance must be answered in.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:16 P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Secretary
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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