Town Board Special Meeting – September 2016

A Special Meeting was held on September 22, 2016 at 5pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall regarding Highway policy resolutions pertaining to the Audit Report.
PRESENT:
Supervisor Chipman Councilwoman Chachkin Councilwoman Fornino
Councilman Drabkin Councilman Spano Town Clerk Gundberg
Attorney Christiana Highway Superintendent Kelder Michael Richardson

Pledge:

Supervisor Chipman opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Board discussed the Audit report, the Highway Union contract and policies that Highway Superintendent Kelder would like to see the Board approve.

Highway Superintendent Kelder explained reasons why he will send his employees home for rest period during a storm. He explained this as “stand-by time” or “ready to engage” time. Mr. Kelder explained the reason he does this is because there is no facilities for the guys to rest, eat or shower. He wants his guys rested and ready to go back out on storm. It’s safer for the crew and people on the roads.
Councilman Spano brought up issues that were discussed previously with federal regulations of the DOT drivers.
Michael Richardson explained that DOT law doesn’t apply to the Town Highway. It applies only if the drivers are hauling on the interstate.
Supervisor Chipman suggested a split shift of the crew coming in for 4 hours and then leave to go home and come back to complete those 4 hours later on in the evening.

Highway Superintendent Kelder discussed why he has on-call seasonal employees getting the minimum 4 hour pay. The Auditors stated non-union employees should not be covered by the union contract.
Michael Richardson suggested the Board can increase the seasonal on-call guys pay per hour, but they cannot follow the union contract of automatic 4 hour pay minimum.

There was a discussion of Deputy Highway Superintendent pay of overtime when the Highway Superintendent is out of Town.
Michael Richardson stated the normal rate of pay for a foreman is approximately $.75 – 1.00 more per hour. The Town of Rochester Deputy makes $ 1.27 more per hour and collects a
$ 2,000.00 Stipend. Michael Richardson stated that no other Town gives a stipend.
Some members of the Board voiced that the Stipend Deputy Highway Superintendent receives covers for the time Mr. Kelder is out of Town.

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to adjourn the meeting at 6:15pm.

Seconded by: Councilwoman Fornino 5-0aye, motion carried

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathleen A. Gundberg
Town Clerk/ Tax Collector