1988-02-08 Council on Aging Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES - Council on Aging - February 8, 1988 Members present: Woody Baldwin, Aloyse Jellison, Barbara Doucette, Dick Felone, Loretta Spaulding, Rosemary Gibbons, Gladys Cail, Ruth Vitkovich Members absent: Gail Rourke, Sebastian Tine Staff present: Florence Farelli, Rheta McKinley Town Manager was also present The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Chairman, Woody Baldwin, and it was voted to go into executive session. Woody announced he had met with the Town Manager and Ruth Cogan just prior to attending this meeting to discuss reclassification of position held by Rheta McKinley to Director, Council on Aging. He stated that the Town Manager had requested permission to at- tend Board meeting. Permission was granted. Rheta stated she had been told by Union Steward that Town Manager had classified her as a principal clerk and the town would be requesting permission from the Labor Relations Board to have position of Director, COA, taken out of Union and in order to qualify for position candidate must have a bachelor's degree. Town Manager explained the Town had recently completed a pay and classification study and have been negotiating this with the bar- gaining unit. Study created seven position grades, grade 7 being Director, COA and his understanding is no title presently exists, therefore, the Board of Selectmen must create position. His ap- proach is to post all new positions for-the purpose of getting the most qualified person. He feels that a degree is a necessary qualification, however, experience should be considered; he gives a great deal of weight to experience. Priority is given to current Town residents and he prefers to hire "in house" rather than going outside. He reminded the Board they no longer deal with personnel issues. However, he did agree to discuss potential candidate with the Board and give them an opportunity to meet candidate before hiring. Chairman, Woody Baldwin, asked for timetable for filling position--Town Manager anticipates 3 to 4 weeks to hiring an ac- ceptable candidate. Town Manager then gave the Board an update on relocation of Senior Center. Three sites are presently being considered for Senior Center use: Rivers Crossing (Ace Art Building), former Gallahue's Market, and Paul's Furniture Warehouse. After con- siderable discussion, Board was assured that no decision would be made without COA input.