Town Board Special Meeting – August 2018

The Town of Rochester Town Board held a Special Meeting regarding the Town of Rochester Compensation and Benefits Manual on August 9, 2018 at 6:00pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center.
PRESENT:
Councilman Drabkin Councilwoman Fornino Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Hewitt Supervisor Baden Town Clerk Gundberg

ALSO PRESENT:

Michael Richardson, Consultant

Supervisor Baden opened the meeting.

Michael Richardson stated the objective of the meeting was to discuss changes & updates to the 2004 Employee Handbook and break it down to Compensation and Benefits, Employment practices & Safety Manuel.

It was recommended by Mr. Richardson to review the manual every 5-7 years.

The Town Board by resolution had previously voted to create a Handbook Committee. The committee held meetings prior to the August 9th Special Meeting. The purpose of the special meeting was for Mr. Richardson to report to the Board changes made based on the committees findings & discussions.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Supervisor Baden
Michael Richardson, Consultant
Shirley Lamon, Bookkeeper/ Secretary to the Supervisor
Rebecca Paddock-Stange, Secretary to the Code Enforcement Officer
Fallon Wynkoop, Secretary to Highway Department

Topics for discussion;

1.3 DEFINITIONS: DEPARTMENT HEAD

2.1 RATES OF PAY
– clarification between compensary time vs. overtime vs. forced flex time
– clarification as to which employees or salaried employees are entitled to ( comp/flex/overtime)

3.2 VACATION LEAVE
– vacation leave is charged in incruments of thirty minutes.

3.3 SICK LEAVE
– 3.3.4 There is no maximum accumulation of sick leave credits

3.5 BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
– There were changes to the amount of days allowed for bereavement depending on immediate or extended family, and 3.5.3 was added regarding Funeral leave.

5.1 MEDICAL INSURANCE
-5.1.5 Premium Payments: upon adoption of the benefit manual any newly appointed employee with pay 20 % of the Health insurance premium and 50% of two-person or family premium.

6.1 RETIREMENT BENEFITS
– 7.3.4 ELIGIBILITY: TOWN CLERK, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT AND SUPERVISOR will be eligible to participate in the Town’s retiree medical insurance.

There was a discussion whether or not the Town providing health insurance to retired employees spouses was legal. Supervisor Baden stated he would have to look in to who this affected. Michael Richardson stated that it was illegal to have this practice, the law was enacted in 1988.

SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL MEETING:
Resolution # 263-2018:

A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to schedule a Special Meeting on 8/16/2018 at 6:00pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall for the purpose of discussing the Highway Secretary applications.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to adjourn the meeting at 8:30pm.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried