Emile steps down as Select Board Chairman, Tuesday, July 2. He resigned at the beginning of the meeting stating after two years of being the Select Board Chairman, he was burnt out and needs to step back and take it easy. Emile nominated Peter Kelleher to be Chairman. Both Emile and Rita concurred. Peter took charge of the meeting. Emile said he was staying on the Board of Health as Chairman by court order. Emile said he had eleven more months and would stick to his term and make his decision as to what he wanted to do at that time.

(I have tried to incorporate dialogue from the Select Board meeting so you can have a view of just how the meeting flowed. This was one of the more lively meetings I have attended.)

Peter said the Board would like to move forward with meeting with the union and proposed to have the meeting on an off night and not on a Tuesday night. Emile suggested “keep the meeting with the union on a Tuesday night so the general public could come in and listen to the negotiations. A night other than a Tuesday night would not be appropriate.”

Peter replied, “as Mr. Scully had suggested the public doesn’t have input on what we decide with the union. The public has hired us, so to speak, to make these decisions. So, I don’t believe the public needs to be involved in these negotiations.”

“But they are open to the public as far as I know” commented Emile.

It was resolved to keep the meeting open and on a Tuesday night. Meeting with the union tentatively scheduled for August 16 provided all three Select Board members are available.

There was a discussion whether or not to give Ray the 10% wage increase appropriated in the FY2006 Budget and approved by the townspeople at the Annual Town Meeting. Peter did not feel Ray should be given the 10%. He felt that the 10% should be spread over two years. Rita and Emile said the 10% should be given to Ray because it was supported at the Annual Town Meeting. “Ray is not part of the union negotiations; he is supervision and should get the 10%”. Emile felt if Ray wants a raise in the future he would have to talk to the town. The employees who want the union, their wages will be held back until the negotiations are complete. At that time their wages will be retroactive to July 1, 2005.

Peter didn’t agree Ray should get the 10% now, he felt Ray should get 5% now. “The Town appropriated the 10% so we as a Select Board could use up to 10%. The Town did not vote on his raise, we do that.”

Rita replied, “the Town appropriated the money, we ask them to do that.”

The Select Board said this is a one-time wage increase. Ray is not involved in contract negotiations.

I asked the Select Board “when you asked the townspeople to vote for the 2006 budget that was the understanding when they voted, he (Ray) would get a 10% pay raise. Why would the Select Board change that figure and want to put it over 2 years?”

Peter restated the question, “If the town appropriated 10% for the raises, why would the select board come back and change that rate to a lower value?” Peter’s answer, “it has always been my opinion that Ray does not deserve a 10% raise. So, I am taking this opportunity to exercise my right on the Board to say I think it should be cut. These folks next to me say 10% and the Board will carry. So it will be 10%; but for the record I think it should be 5%.”

Mr. Rosenthal commented, “I think you are getting a bargain. The man plows the road 24/7.” Mr. Rosenthal further explained he felt for the responsibility Mr. LaBonte has as the Road Superintendent, the town was getting a bargain.

“If Mr. LaBonte decided to leave the position, we would not be able to get anyone to come in here for that job for that cost. I have always contented we should raise the position not the individual”, Emile said.

Peter said there was a little bit more behind the situation than we are aware of. He further explained. “The package that these gentlemen get, not only compensation, but the enormous, in my opinion, amount of time they have off, the vacation pay that if they don’t use it they get cash for it, and sick time, if they don’t use it, they get cash for it. So, in other words, they are guaranteed above and beyond, not just their salary or wage, they are guaranteed almost $8,000 more a year that you, the townspeople, don’t every hear about.” If they don’t use vacation or sick time, they get the cash at the end of the year.

Peter asked Phil O’Brien to show the Select Board the compensation package because they are not underpaid. Hourly wage, they may be underpaid; but total compensation they may get much more than the other towns around.

The question was asked what was Ray’s main job. Emile explained Ray works for the Highway Department. That is his main job. Anything else is on Ray’s own time. He is the Highway Superintendent and has no other job.

(From the June 28, 2005 Select Board Meeting minutes relating to the other Highway Department employees: “Any raises negotiated in the contract will be retroactive to July 1, 2005. As of now the raise is not in effect. Discussion continued as to whether a one- year or three year contract was in the best interest of either party. The Select Board on the advice from Mr. Scully reconsidered the raise structure of the Highway Department. The Select Board was reminded that they are not rushed into by any time limit making these decisions. Select Board proposed a 5%, 2 ½%, 2 ½% raise spread over the next three years, which is equal in total to 10%. The decision was rejected by the Highway Department. Listing the main reason for objection as: It as agreed upon in the town meeting to give the Highway Department a raise on July 1, 2005 of 10%. Discussion concerning the benefits the Savoy Highway Department workers receive was discussed compared to other town highway workers. Documentation will be presented by Phillip O’Brien regarding these differences.”)

The next Select Board Meeting is scheduled for July 19. by Brenda Smith