Selectmen to study town employee compensation and benefits

The Board of Selectmen this week took the first steps toward convening a committee to review the town's personnel policies, compensation schedules and benefits package.

After some discussion the board unanimously endorsed Peter Brother's suggestion to form a committee of nine members, four town employees, four public members and one selectman. Bob Flanders had recommended a panel of seven — with three town employees and four public members — with one or two selectmen serving as non-voting members. However, Colette Worsman, who originally proposed establishing the committee, said that for selectmen to attend without voting privileges would be "a waste of time."

The board charged the committee with reviewing the "full range of salary, wage and benefit packages available to our employees" in light of those offered by neighboring municipalities and "comparable private or corporate organizations."

The purpose of the committee is "to ensure alignment of the town's employee total compensation benefits package with employers in the area that will continue to attract and retain competent employees."

Worsman, who will represent the board on the committee, reminded the board that "we will need to get expert help," referring to the charge to the committee that provides "updated classification information will be provided by an experienced professional."

The committee is scheduled to present its findings by September 10, so that they can be weighed in the 2008 budget process, a target Brothers found "not realistic." Chairman Frank Michel agreed that the schedule was "very aggressive," but said "sometimes you need a short leash."

Town Manager Carol Granfield said that the committee should be appointed and convened in a timely manner in order to meet its timetable. In a memorandum to the board she noted that Jim Hughes, Peter Miller, Jeannie Forrester, Bonnie Ireland and Bob Ambrose had expressed interest in serving as public members. The board agreed to defer its appointment of public members until May 21 to provide others an opportunity to volunteer.

NOTE: Although modifications to the new footbridge spanning Hawkins Brook are complete, the bridge has remained closed awaiting a final inspection by a representative of McFarland-Johnson, Inc., the engineers for the Community Center project. The modifications were required to address a flaw in the original design of the bridge. Selectman Bob Flanders said that the cost of the work was born by the insurance carried by the engineer who designed the bridge. Andre Kloetz of Bauen Corporation told the Board of Selectmen this week that he expected the bridge would inspected and reopened very shortly. The elaborate wooden structure links the skate park area of Prescott Park with the Community Center.