These minutes are for informational purposes only. For Official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's office.
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 19, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 5:40 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Deputy First Selectman Joel Mandell, Board Members Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity, John Romano and Anita Mielert, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson, Education Department Superintendent Joseph Townsley, Business Manager David Holden, Board of Education Member Robert Moran, Jr. and other interested parties.
II. PURPOSE OF MEETING:
First Selectman Vincent informed the Board that the purpose of the meeting was to review two contracts approved by the Board of Education. First Selectman Vincent read the General Statute pursuant to Section 10-153D: The Board of Education is required to file a copy of the contract it enters into with the Teachers' Union or the Administrators' Unit with the Town Clerk. Once a contract has been filed with the Town Clerk, the Board of Selectmen has thirty days in which to review the contract at a regular or specially called meeting. If the Board of Selectmen does not reject the contract within thirty days, the contract becomes binding on the Board of Selectmen and the Town. If the legislative body rejects the contract the parties shall commence the arbitration process on the
fifth day following the rejection. Provided it is requested by either party, the parties shall mediate the contract dispute prior to the initial arbitration hearing.
III. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Evan Woollacott, 120 Terry's Plain Road, said that the contracts provides limited data on the changes made; that the 5.2% yearly increase in the Administrators' Contract is a travesty; that settling the Administrator's Contract first leads to the teachers getting the same increase; and that the jobs needed to be evaluated and paid commensurately. Mr. Woollacott urged the Board to reject the contract.
Don Zaylor, 47 Fox Den Road, expressed his disappointment that the meeting has not had wide-spread notification; that the increases in both contracts are out of line; that the salaries of town residents should not be used to justify paying higher teacher salaries; and that the increases do not reflect the present state of the economy. Mr. Zaylor urged the Board to reject the contract.
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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DECEMBER 19, 2001
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David Balboni, 13 Fox Den Road, expressed his concern that if the contracts are approved, they will be the starting points for the budget; that all other contracts will be negotiated based on these contracts; that come the May referendum, if the voters reject the budget, the children will be penalized; and asked the Board to consider the total budget before making a decision.
IV. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
1. Agreement between the Simsbury Board of Education and Simsbury Education Association effective July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2005
2. Agreement between the Simsbury Board of Education and Simsbury School Administrators' and Supervisors' Association effective July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2005
Dr. Townsley informed the Board that the general increase for Administrators is 4 1/4%, 4 1/2%, 4 1/2%; the State settlement for administrators averaged 5.9%, 4.92%, 4.73%; and this agreement is below the mediated State averages.
Mr. Moran, as Chairman of the Negotiating Committee, advised the Board that long and hard negotiations took place; that in the overall settlement there will be a yearly savings of 3/4% in benefits; and that the Board of Education needs to attract and retain teachers and needs to be competitive.
First Selectman Vincent reminded the Board that if no action is taken, these contracts will become effective, and that if the Board votes to reject the contract, it does not go back to the Board of Education but directly to arbitration.
In response to Ms. Mielert's questions, Dr. Townsley said that in the arbitration process, the Board of Finance would make the case that the town cannot afford the settlement and it would be the Board of Education's obligation to present, benefits, extra days, etc. and that the union would do the same. The panel would pick and might give the Board the first year's salary and the teacher's the second year's salary; might give the Board extra days and something to the teachers, but that they must pick one and do not arbitrate at this point.
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 19 2001
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Ms. Mielert expressed her concern regarding this meeting having been scheduled on an "odd day and time" with no television cameras or reporters present and that she did not receive the meeting notice dated November 30, 2001 on that date.
Dr. Townsley said that the notice was delivered to the First Selectman's secretary, Ms. Christopher, on November 30, 2001.
Mr. Garrity said that if the Board of Finance guideline was 3.5% and that the salary increase would take up 2.6% leaving less than 1% for everything else.
Dr. Townsley said that the 3.5% increase guideline could be impacted by special education, transportation, etc.
In response to Mr. Garrity's question, Dr. Townsley said that the teacher turnover due to salary was approximately three to four teachers per year.
Mr. Garrity felt that the 16% over three years could result in layoffs or cuts in programs.
Mr. Moran said that at a meeting with the members of the Board of Finance and Legal Counsel it was decided that there was tremendous risk in not reaching an agreement.
In response to Ms. Gilkey's questions, Mr. Moran said that during negotiations the parties were aware that this contract could result in layoffs or program cuts.
Ms. Gilkey stressed that she is a strong advocate of competitive salaries for teachers.
In response to Mr. Romano's question, Dr. Townsley said that counsel felt it was a good number and that going with a number that deviated too much from the norm would result in arbitrations and associated costs.
First Selectman Vincent said that he did inform the Hartford Courant and SCTV of the meeting; that he had met with Dr. Townsley and the Board of Finance to set the guidelines and that the guidelines were set at 3 1/2% which makes it difficult to come in with an operating budget. First Selectman Vincent said he was not in favor of rejecting the contract since he has been advised by legal counsel that there was a good chance the Town would not win and arbitration costs could be
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SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 19, 2001
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$40,000 or more; and that the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen will have to endeavor to develop budgets within the 3.5% guidelines set by the Board of Finance.
Mr. Mandell felt that it was more prudent to come to an agreement rather than have it go to arbitration and that he was not in favor of rejecting the contracts; that he was also not in favor of approving a 5+% increase given the guidelines since it will result in cuts in services and employees.
Mr. Romano said he was not in favor of the contract but that going to arbitration would be costly and unproductive; that the contract will result in loss of jobs or program cuts and that the students will suffer as a result. Mr. Romano felt that Simsbury was a good town to work in and given the present economy, it should not be difficult to attract and retain teachers.
In response to Ms. Mielert's question, Mr. Moran said that the eleven towns used in the comparison figures have been historically used since these are towns that Simsbury competes with for teachers.
Ms. Mielert asked what the demand was for coverage for same-sex partners and if there was any return for this concession. Mr. Moran said that the CEA strongly supported this and that the cost was not significant since few people would sign up for the coverage.
In response to Mr. Romano's question regarding wage comparisons, Mr. Holden said that to improve competitiveness across the schedule, two steps of the eleven- step schedule were eliminated to improve the ability to attract and retain teachers at the middle level.
Mr. Garrity left the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
Ms. Gilkey asked for clarification of the 6th and 7th years in the wage comparison. Mr. Holden said that the sixth year is 30 credits beyond a Masters and that 7th year is an additional 30 credits.
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 19, 2001
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V. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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