December 20, 2006 - REGULAR
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were First Selectman Martin Klein, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectman Edward Sipples. First Selectman Klein called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. Legal Call of Town Meeting for December 27, 2006
First Selectman Klein read the Legal Notice for the Call of the Town Meeting scheduled for December 27, 2006 which included 6 items (copy attached).
Motion by Klein, second by Dudek, to approve the Call of the Special Town Meeting for Wednesday, December 27, 2006, as presented. Voting in favor – Klein, Dudek, Sipples. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
3. Discussion of Public Works Foreman Position
First Selectman Klein reviewed the draft copy of the Highway Foreman Position dated August 1, 2006. He noted he received copies of similar job descriptions both from other towns and CCM. Selectman Sipples asked if the job posting had been withdrawn as noted at the last Selectmen’s meeting. It was noted the job posting was taken down at the Town Hall on the 13th, day after the meeting. Selectman Sipples noted a resume had been submitted on the 18th and asked if that was okay.
Selectman Sipples questioned Page 18 where it stated “must have experience as a trained mechanic and have the following certifications:” but there was nothing listed for certifications. It was agreed there was nothing listed under certifications, it was left blank.
Selectman Sipples noted First Selectman Klein had recently expressed a concern about the Highway Foreman doing manual labor as opposed to planning, organizing, supervising, etc. He noted the draft job description still includes manual labor. First Selectman Klein noted he expects the highway foreman to be a working foreman. Selectman Sipples asked Selectman Dudek whether he agreed with this position being a working foreman. Selectman Dudek noted he indicated the contract talks about crew leaders and a possible change in this position to crew leaders, town engineer or director of public works. Selectman Dudek noted if the position remained the same as a highway foreman, then it should be a working foreman. If it is changed and not a working foreman position, it should then be an exempt position from the Union.
Selectman Dudek briefly reviewed certain positions that weren’t originally included in the Union contract and then were included.
There was discussion regarding having a working foreman and a town engineer. First Selectman Klein noted even if the town has a working foreman, it still needs a town engineer. Selectman Dudek noted it was never his intention to eliminate the town engineer.
Selectman Dudek noted the main issue is does the town want the Highway Foreman to be a working foreman. There was discussion regarding whether LOCIP funds would cover either in house or outside hire for engineering services.
Selectman Sipples pointed out that any changes to the job description would have to be approved by the Union. It was also pointed out that if the position is removed from the Union the title would have to be changed.
Selectman Sipples noted two major issues are – do we want a working foreman and someone with engineering qualifications. If the town is heading in the direction of having a Director of Public Works, that is a big change and he wasn’t sure the town was ready for that yet. Selectman Sipples noted he thought the position at this time should be a non-working foreman with an engineering degree. That would also trigger the position being eliminated from the Union. If the position was kept as a working foreman with no engineering qualifications, then the job description could remain status quo.
First Selectman Klein noted there are a lot of small independent contractors out there that have no engineering degree but have a lot of experience. Mr. Klein noted someone with an engineering degree would be very costly to the town.
The issue of supervision was discussed. Selectman Sipples noted in his opinion this was a supervision/management position. The only tie to the Union is the requirement that this individual operate heavy and light equipment. Sipples noted he didn’t think this position should be in the Union because it is a strongly management/supervisory position. The needs of the town should be on a long term basis and shouldn’t fluctuate with who is the latest first selectman. The priorities could be dramatically different every two years making that position very difficult. This would be more consistent with a Public Works Commission.
First Selectman Klein noted there are a lot of projects this year requiring engineering services. There was a question as to whether LOCIP funds covered in house engineering services. The answer to that question will be researched.
Selectman Sipples noted he agreed with Selectman Dudek that this is the time to change the job description when there is a vacancy in that position.
It was noted this item does not need to be rushed through as there is an interim acting highway foreman.
It was agreed the Selectmen will decide what the job description should be and then it will be posted first in house and then in the newspaper.
The position of Director of Public Works was again reviewed.
Who should do the employee evaluations (highway crew) was discussed.
It was agreed this should be reviewed again at the Board of Selectmen Meeting held January 22, 2007.
The issue of an in house person applying for the position and an outside person with the same qualifications also applies for the position was discussed. Selectman Dudek noted a qualified KMEA member (as determined by the First Selectman) applying for the position should be given preference. If the position is no longer in the KMEA contract, then that is a different story.
4. Multi-Year Capital Plan
First Selectman Klein noted he will make a second request from everyone to submit a multi-year capital plan. The only responses he has had to date are from the Library and the Town Clerk. Selectman Dudek asked if this pertained only to LOCIP funds. The previous memo that went out to departments was specific to LOCIP. First Selectman Klein noted he has asked the Town Engineer to prepare estimate costs for upcoming road projects. There was discussion about asking residents to pay for something that won’t happen for 5 years. Selectman Dudek suggested another memo go out indicating this should cover all capital projects and not just ones covered by LOCIP funds.
5. Adjournment
Motion by Klein, second by Dudek, to adjourn at 8:45 PM. Voting in favor – Klein, Dudek, Sipples. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were First Selectman Martin Klein, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectman Edward Sipples. First Selectman Klein called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. Legal Call of Town Meeting for December 27, 2006
First Selectman Klein read the Legal Notice for the Call of the Town Meeting scheduled for December 27, 2006 which included 6 items (copy attached).
Motion by Klein, second by Dudek, to approve the Call of the Special Town Meeting for Wednesday, December 27, 2006, as presented. Voting in favor – Klein, Dudek, Sipples. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
3. Discussion of Public Works Foreman Position
First Selectman Klein reviewed the draft copy of the Highway Foreman Position dated August 1, 2006. He noted he received copies of similar job descriptions both from other towns and CCM. Selectman Sipples asked if the job posting had been withdrawn as noted at the last Selectmen’s meeting. It was noted the job posting was taken down at the Town Hall on the 13th, day after the meeting. Selectman Sipples noted a resume had been submitted on the 18th and asked if that was okay.
Selectman Sipples questioned Page 18 where it stated “must have experience as a trained mechanic and have the following certifications:” but there was nothing listed for certifications. It was agreed there was nothing listed under certifications, it was left blank.
Selectman Sipples noted First Selectman Klein had recently expressed a concern about the Highway Foreman doing manual labor as opposed to planning, organizing, supervising, etc. He noted the draft job description still includes manual labor. First Selectman Klein noted he expects the highway foreman to be a working foreman. Selectman Sipples asked Selectman Dudek whether he agreed with this position being a working foreman. Selectman Dudek noted he indicated the contract talks about crew leaders and a possible change in this position to crew leaders, town engineer or director of public works. Selectman Dudek noted if the position remained the same as a highway foreman, then it should be a working foreman. If it is changed and not a working foreman position, it should then be an exempt position from the Union.
Selectman Dudek briefly reviewed certain positions that weren’t originally included in the Union contract and then were included.
There was discussion regarding having a working foreman and a town engineer. First Selectman Klein noted even if the town has a working foreman, it still needs a town engineer. Selectman Dudek noted it was never his intention to eliminate the town engineer.
Selectman Dudek noted the main issue is does the town want the Highway Foreman to be a working foreman. There was discussion regarding whether LOCIP funds would cover either in house or outside hire for engineering services.
Selectman Sipples pointed out that any changes to the job description would have to be approved by the Union. It was also pointed out that if the position is removed from the Union the title would have to be changed.
Selectman Sipples noted two major issues are – do we want a working foreman and someone with engineering qualifications. If the town is heading in the direction of having a Director of Public Works, that is a big change and he wasn’t sure the town was ready for that yet. Selectman Sipples noted he thought the position at this time should be a non-working foreman with an engineering degree. That would also trigger the position being eliminated from the Union. If the position was kept as a working foreman with no engineering qualifications, then the job description could remain status quo.
First Selectman Klein noted there are a lot of small independent contractors out there that have no engineering degree but have a lot of experience. Mr. Klein noted someone with an engineering degree would be very costly to the town.
The issue of supervision was discussed. Selectman Sipples noted in his opinion this was a supervision/management position. The only tie to the Union is the requirement that this individual operate heavy and light equipment. Sipples noted he didn’t think this position should be in the Union because it is a strongly management/supervisory position. The needs of the town should be on a long term basis and shouldn’t fluctuate with who is the latest first selectman. The priorities could be dramatically different every two years making that position very difficult. This would be more consistent with a Public Works Commission.
First Selectman Klein noted there are a lot of projects this year requiring engineering services. There was a question as to whether LOCIP funds covered in house engineering services. The answer to that question will be researched.
Selectman Sipples noted he agreed with Selectman Dudek that this is the time to change the job description when there is a vacancy in that position.
It was noted this item does not need to be rushed through as there is an interim acting highway foreman.
It was agreed the Selectmen will decide what the job description should be and then it will be posted first in house and then in the newspaper.
The position of Director of Public Works was again reviewed.
Who should do the employee evaluations (highway crew) was discussed.
It was agreed this should be reviewed again at the Board of Selectmen Meeting held January 22, 2007.
The issue of an in house person applying for the position and an outside person with the same qualifications also applies for the position was discussed. Selectman Dudek noted a qualified KMEA member (as determined by the First Selectman) applying for the position should be given preference. If the position is no longer in the KMEA contract, then that is a different story.
4. Multi-Year Capital Plan
First Selectman Klein noted he will make a second request from everyone to submit a multi-year capital plan. The only responses he has had to date are from the Library and the Town Clerk. Selectman Dudek asked if this pertained only to LOCIP funds. The previous memo that went out to departments was specific to LOCIP. First Selectman Klein noted he has asked the Town Engineer to prepare estimate costs for upcoming road projects. There was discussion about asking residents to pay for something that won’t happen for 5 years. Selectman Dudek suggested another memo go out indicating this should cover all capital projects and not just ones covered by LOCIP funds.
5. Adjournment
Motion by Klein, second by Dudek, to adjourn at 8:45 PM. Voting in favor – Klein, Dudek, Sipples. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
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