HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-24 Board of Selectmen Minutes - Executive Session Board of Selectmen Meeting
' Executive Session
May 24, 2011
The Executive Session convened at 10:30 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to labor
negotiations for the Engineers AFSCME Union, Police Patrol Officers union, Police Superior
Officers union and for settlement of litigation. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice
Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectman Ben Tafoya, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Assistant 'rown Manager Bob LeLacheur.
Labor Negotiations
Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed the proposed three-year contract with the Engineers. The key
financial terms are a 2% COLA in FY12 but no step movement; no COLA but 2% step
movement where applicable in FY13; and a 0.75% COLA and 2% step movement where
applicable in FY14. The latter 0.75% COLA is explicitly to buy out sick-leave buyback
prospectively for employees hired after 7-1-13 from this union —the last one of the Town unions
to still enjoy this benefit. This buyout is consistent to what all other unions have received. A no
layoff agreement (unless there is a "9-c" reduction in State aid) is in place for the current staff for
the duration of the contract.
A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert that the Board of Selectmen approve the
contract between the Town of Reading and AFSCME Council 93 Local 1703 Engineers
' Union in substantially the form submitted and authorize the Town Manager to sign on the
Town's behalf was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting in the
affirmative.
Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed-a recent change in the terms of federal grant money available to
purchase bullet-proof vests, where a new condition is a mandatory-wear policy. Discussions with
the two Police unions have resulted in requests ranging from on-duty workout time of Ihr/day to
an additional week of vacation in order to agree to this new policy. The selectmen indicated their
strong support to the Town Manager's position that there be no financial compensation or
increase in benefits for adopting this new policy.
Litigation
Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed a recent mediation between Firefighter Lisa Palermo and the
Town on past charges of sexual harassment by a co-worker. The mediation resulted in the
Town's insurance carrier agreeing to a settlement of $44,000 and the mediator also noted that
once the initial charges were filed that the Town had done an exemplary job in handling the
situation. Other terms of the settlement include a confidentiality clause.
A motion by Anthony seconded by Tafova that the Board of Selectmen authorize the
settlement of litigation between the Town of Reading and Lisa Palermo under the terms
described and authorize the Town Manager to sign all documents on the Town's behalf_
was approved on a roll call vote with all four members voting to the affirmative.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—May 24, 2011 —page 2
A motion by Schubert seconded by Anthony to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. was approved on a
roll call vote with all four members votine in the affirmative. '
Respectfully submitted,
P 'YV
Secretary
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