Selectboard Meeting

January 15, 2007

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Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Chris Morrell, Doug Olufson, Fred Silber ,Frank Koss, Paul Wieczoreck, Rocky Martin, Missy Ross,

Meeting called to order at 7:05p.m.

Paul Wieczoreck, Hinesburg Land Trust / Land Trust Request for Funding – The Board reviewed the proposed request with Paul. Randy asked why the Land Trust would not ask the Town for only $50,000 and sell another lot. Jon asked if the percentage of support is in line with past projects. Paul explained requesting the $100,000 is not out of line with the percentage asked for on other projects.

Randy said the $100,000 would be to show true earnest on part of the Town to support the project.

Howard said there have been neighborhood concerns with the number of building lots and he does not think increasing the building lot number would be accepted. Andrea said this makes it more possible they may be able to do some affordable units.

Randy asked why this will not be turned over to Fish and Wildlife. Paul said at this time VT Fish and Wildlife are not accepting more land. This will benefit the Town as we will have more control over the property. Randy asked if that means the Town has costs associated with it. Paul said there will be a small amount such as associated with the Town Forest. Rob noted the development being done will bring in more tax dollars than under current use.

Howard asked how many homes there are from the northern end of the property to the school in relation to connectivity. Paul said this will not be directly connected.

Jeanne asked if they will use the entire $100,000 requested. In past warnings have had the contingency at the end of the warning stating if all the funds are not used they go into the Hinesburg Land Trust Fund. Paul said this is a specific request and there is no need to include that wording.

Leadership Team / Discussion of Longevity Pay System – Missy stated they began this discussion last year as there is no system in place to reward employees for staying with the Town and they feel it is better to have a predictable system in place. Rocky said the current system is after 15 years the employee gets a bonus. He feels it is important to give new employees a look at what they can expect in the future.

Rob said with the reorganization and writing of job descriptions it was recognized that this would be set aside till reorganization was up and running.

Jon said currently the Town pays 100% of health care, as health care costs go up the Town picks that up 100% and so he does not see the proposal as being possible. He views the proposal as an institutional raise. The skill set for a particular position is all that is required to perform that job – this would eventually have the employee’s salary grow beyond what that position calls for. Jon thinks now with an annual job evaluation there is a mechanism to reward an employee for job performance.

The Board reviewed the proposed anniversary bonus.

Andrea wants to be sure the Town encourages employees to expand their skills and they continue to learn.

Randy said though nothing now is specifically written on a table, longevity is taken into consideration when setting salaries.

Doug said he believes the Town is at a disadvantage by not offering longevity. He feels the Police Department is but wants to know how other Town employees fit into this.

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Rob said we may currently be at a competitive disadvantage, and this concept could be a valuable part of the compensation package.

Frank Koss said he feels longevity cannot be open ended because it leads to inequity / salary steps are a set range and can be planned by the employee.

Rob said the Board should finish the budgeting for this year and then come up with a coherent proposal on how to effectively come up with a plan.

Budget Planning Sessions

Police Department – T1 line – Rob asked if there is money in the Police budget to do this now. Jeanne said they would have to deficit spend. Jon feels the Town will save and would advocate for getting it now. Rob agreed. It was the agreement of the Selectboard to deficit spend from the CAD line 440-4151-62.01 to purchase the T1 line now.

Howard asked about part time vs full time. If we add additional part time hours not full time will this be effective on case work. Chris said depending on the complexity of the case – some need to be handed off to full time officers and then the quality of working the case decreases.

Howard asked if more part time would alleviate that and Chris said it would depend on their hours.

Howard asked in regards to coverage if there are more than 2 officers on at a time. Chris said at times one may be in court and one on duty or one at the academy. Howard said he asked the question in relation to why a need for numerous vehicles. Chris replied one car could be broken down or a case could require transport and also need someone to stay at the scene while another officer is on patrol. Howard then addressed the $25,000 in vehicle purchase in 07/08, this does or does not include a future replacement? Chris said this still addresses a future replacement vehicle.

Howard sees this as a stop gap measure while waiting for information from a strategic plan and would suggest increasing with part time staff.

Andrea said she is reluctant to move forward but overall wants to reduce the stress on the existing police. As the Department has moved past a time of high turn over she would not want to do more than increase part time, and wants to wait for the strategic plan.

Rob said he believes there is a demonstrated need for more officers to maintain current level of service, what is the best utilization of a person or persons to get to that point.

Howard said he is not sure where a strategic plan will lead. To hire a full time officer when you are only committing to a one year position limits your potential applicants.

Jon prefers to give the Police Department the option of hiring full time.

Randy agrees with Jon to add the equivalent of a full time position and leave it up to Chris to be able to use full time or part time for the 40 hours.

Andrea said the 1.7 is based on Doug’s work. The Board has heard for some time the Department needs help but with the addition of Fred as Deputy Chief she does not feel a need to rush into hiring more officers.

Chris referred to the Walton report which recommended hiring additional officers.

Doug said Andrea may be missing the stress level the officers are currently working under.

Randy feels the request for 1.7 had been adequately demonstrated and sees hiring a full time position will alleviate stress and get the Board time to wait for a strategic plan.

Chris said part time is a good way to assess how an individual works if you want to then offer full time. Full time will have the cost associated with training.

Rob summarized saying that the majority of the Board support the option of adding one full time position with the flexibility to allow Chris to deal with the hiring in the best way he can.

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Fred added the Chief has a car and needs one at all times. 1 person on days = 1 car / add 1 for afternoons = 2^nd car / and the Chief has the third car. This does not allow for an additional car when one is out of service which leaves an officer waiting for a vehicle to do their job.

Rob – discussion of the vehicle being added would be a sedan or SUV.

Rob said the Boards decision is one full time officer, addition of the T1 line, and a strategic plan.

Jon requested some sort of schedule from Chris.

Howard wants to be sure the Town is maintaining service not increasing service.

Chris wanted to acknowledge the work Doug has done to help aid the decision making effort and thanked all Board members who have the job of deciding which proposals they approve for funding

Highway Department – Andrea asked if Mechanicsville Rd and Richmond are included in the miles paved line.

Howard said one area to look at cutting is the amount of black top being done. The Board agreed to reduce blacktop to $100,000 which will allow for 80,000 for paving and 20,000 if needed for a matching grant. If the 20,000 is not needed to match can use all the 100,000 for paving.

The Board also agreed to a bonus of $1,000 to the Highway Foreman for completing the Management Class.

Purchase of a new pick up to be split over two years and increase vehicle maintenance to 33,500 and Jeanne will check with Mike on cost of replacing the pick up bed.

Under summer budgets it was agreed to reduce blacktop form 189,000 to 100,000. Also under summer, guardrails, Jeanne will check with Mike how much is needed and where on Charlotte Rd and Richmond Rd they are planned to be installed.

Capital Budget – Fire Dept. 09/10 add 500,000 for the aerial truck and in 10/11 35,000 to replace the response vehicle.

Howard does not agree with the 25,000 07/08 for the police cruiser.

Agencies – Women Helping Battered Women increased to 2,600 which is the level of funding from last year.

Other Business

Approve Warrants: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Andrea and approved.

Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 12/31/06: Andrea moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the Trial Balances for the Water & Wastewater and General Fund accounts for the period ending 12/31/06. Second by Randy and approved.

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Additons to the Agenda

COLA – Jeanne worked up the 12 month average and the Board agreed the COLA increase will be 3.68.

Addendum to Collective Bargaining Agreement: Due to the change in health insurance provider effective January 1, 2007 (from Blue Cross / Blue Shield to CIGNA), an addendum to the agreement between AFSCME Local 1343 and the Town has been prepared. Andrea moved that the Board vote to sign the Addendum to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town and AFSCME Local 1343, as prepared and dated 01/15/07. Second by Randy and approved.

Howard moved the Board go into executive session for personnel discussion second by Andrea and approved.

Howard moved the Board come out of executive session and adjourn, second by Andrea and approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary