Personnel Sub Committee Regular Meeting November 14, 2012 - APPROVED

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Personnel Sub-Committee – Minutes of Regular Meeting
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
6:00 P.M. – Simsbury Town Offices – Main Meeting Room

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.  Committee Chair Lisa Heavner and Committee members John Hampton and Moira Wertheimer were present.  Board of Selectmen members Sean Askham and Nancy Haase, Director of Public Works Tom Roy, Director of Administrative Services Tom Cooke, Deputy Director of Administrative Services Sean Kimball were also in attendance.

After the pledge of allegiance, Ms. Heavner offered the opportunity for public audience – no member of the public spoke.

2.  Approval of minutes of meeting on September 10, 2012

Mr. Hampton moved for the approval of the minutes of the September 10, 2012 meeting.  Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

3.  Update and possible action on nepotism policies

Mr. Kimball reviewed his research on the status and use of nepotism policies in other towns and recommended some provisions as possible models for the Town of Simsbury.  Mr. Kimball and Mr. Cooke noted that implementation of a nepotism policy for existing bargaining unit members would have to be collectively bargained.  The Sub-Committee asked for a specific recommendation at the next Sub-Committee meeting.

4.  Approve the revised job description for Superintendent of Highways

Mr. Roy advised the Sub-Committee that with the anticipated retirement of Walter McDonald it was time to review the job description for Superintendent of Highways which has not been updated in some time.  Mr. Roy reviewed the additional skill sets necessary for the position moving forward, including computer and communications skills, participation in grant processes and other recommendations as indicated in the revised job description.  The Sub-Committee asked about the increase in grade recommended by Mr. Roy.  Mr. Cooke and Mr. Kimball explained that the additional job and skill requirements warranted the upgrade and that the actual cost to the Town would be lower than the present cost for at least eight years.  Mr. Hampton moved for approval of the revised job description and Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

5. Approve the position description for the new position of Part-Time Communications Specialist

Mr. Cooke reviewed the proposed job description and discussed the need for support with the ever-increasing demand for communication from the Town of Simsbury through various electronic media.  The position would be particularly helpful during emergency situations and funding was previously approved by the Board of Selectmen with this in mind.  Ms. Heavner suggested that the position could be used to develop Town mailing lists and the Sub-Committee had an in-depth discussion of the status of Town privacy policies, technology use policies and press release policies.  The discussion included the possibility of recommending a technology review to determine the Town’s technology needs and the status of the Town’s technology security.  The Sub-Committee also discussed the previously approved funding for the position and discussed the advisability of using the funding for the position at this time.  Ms. Wertheimer expressed concerns about approving the position without a review of the Town’s technology policies and about the use of funds for the position in the face of budgetary challenges.  Mr. Hampton moved to approve the job description and to recommend approval of the position by the Board of Selectmen.  Ms. Heavner seconded the motion.  Mr. Hampton and Ms. Heavner voted in favor of the motion and Ms. Wertheimer voted against it.  The motion passed by a two-to-one vote.

6. Adjourn

There being no further business, Mr. Hampton moved to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.