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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-16 Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes � Board of Selectmen Meeting Executive Session October 16, 2001 The Executive Session convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Vice Chairman Camille Anthony, Secretary Matthew Cummings, Selectmen Richard Schubert and Gail Wood, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Personnel Administrator Carol Roberts, Public Works Director Ted McIntire and Paula Schena. Engineers/Water Treatment Plant The Town Manager reviewed the status of the Engineers/Water Treatment Plant negotiations. He indicated they are looking at a two year contract with a 2.5% increase in FY03 and FY04. The Union is requesting time off between working the night and day shift (Ul). The Engineers would get six hours off with pay if they work after 2:00 a.m., and the Water Treatment Plant Operators would get six hours off with pay after working 24 hours straight. The "rest time" would be paid at straight time. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that he is against paid time off. The Town Manager noted that we are looking at hiring another WTP Operator to avoid overtime situations, but it is difficult hiring WTP Operators because the shifts are nights and weekends. Public Works Director Ted McIntire noted that work hours are in their contract and anything over that is overtime. Selectman Camille Anthony suggested dealing with it on a case by case basis instead of having it in the contract because it only happens a few times a year. The Union is looking for an additional one week vacation time after 30 years (U3). The Town is proposing a Career Service Award of 1% of base salary on 30, 35 and 40 anniversaries. Selectman Matthew Cummings noted that longevity was written out of the contracts years ago. The Town Manager noted that the base pay was increased years ago to buy out longevity. The Union is looking for some sort of compensation for employees on Step 10 (U4). The Town Manager noted that this will be discussed for both Union and Non-Union personnel and this could be revisited in the future. The Union is looking to add a Grade 3 Operator in Training to the matrix (U6). The Union is requesting language on replacing personal property (U9). Chairman George Hines asked if there is a limit on the amount. The Town Manager noted that there was not. Selectman Gail Wood asked if this language is in other contracts, and the Town Manager noted that it is. _._f The consensus of the Board was No for U3 and U4 and Yes for Ul and U9. Board of Selectmen Meeting—Executive Session—October 16, 2001 —Palze 2 Public Works The Town Manager noted that they are looking at a 2%/1% split for the first year and 2.5% for the second year. The Town is looking for mandatory overtime. The Union is requesting an increase in the clothing allowance (U3). They are looking at a $25.00 increase in FY03 and FY04 with a $200.00 payment to each employee to cover expensive items. The $200.00 payment would be distributed to half the employees in FY03 and the other half in FY04. After that, i/4 of the workforce each year. The Union is requesting a$25.00 increase in the boot allowance with no limit (U4). The Union is requesting a four hour minimum for overtime(U5). The Union is requesting double time for Sundays and holidays (U6). The Union is requesting a four hour grace period when calculating 24 hours for continuous hours for call backs (U10). The Union is looking for double time after 32 continuous hours (U15). Chairman George Hines asked how critical mandatory overtime is, and the Town Manager noted that we have gone from 60 to 40 employees in DPW and if people refuse to work overtime, we will be in trouble. The discussion on negotiations will be put back on the October 30, 2001 Agenda. Approval of Minutes A motion by Anthony seconded by Cummings to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of July 24, 2001 were approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. A motion by Anthony seconded by Wood to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of September 19, 2001 were approved on a roll call vote with Hines, Anthony, Schubert and Wood voting in the affirmative and Cummings abstaining. A motion by Cummings seconded by Anthony to adjourn the Executive Session of October 16, 2001 at 8:00 p.m. was approved on a roll call vote with all five members voting in the affirmative. Respectfully submitted, G���,���rlmfir Secretary �