By Beth David, Editor
The Acushnet Selectboard agreed with some personnel changes requested by Police Chief Michael Alves at its meeting on Tuesday, 10/19/18. The board voted to allow Chief Alves to promote three part time police officer to full time positions; and to allow the chief to access the civil service list to hire a full time police officer. The chief also asked to hire a a civilian dispatcher for the night shift.
Chief Alves told the board that he has three part-time officers who are ready and willing to be promoted to full time.
The night-time dispatcher position, however, has some controversy surrounding it. Currently a police officer on that shift is covering dispatch. The chief wants to hire a civilian dispatcher, who would get paid less than a police officer. The police union, however, wants to keep the position for an officer. The board will try to negotiate the point with the two unions.
Selectboard member Roger Cabral noted that the changes will help reduce overtime, although adding the ull time positions also has other costs associated with it, such as higher health care costs.
“This does cost a little more,” said Mr. Cabral. “It does not cost a lot more.”
The net result would be two more officers on the road.
“I’m all for bringing on more officers,” said Selectboard member Kevin Gaspar.
He asked for some specifics about the numbers, if vacation/sick days coverage, health insurance, etc., were included in the calculations.
Chief Alves said he believed so, but some numbers were hard to pin down.
The hiring process takes a year to 18 months for a full time police officer
Chief Alves said he wanted to hire at least three more part time officers to replace the three being promoted, but he would be happier with five. Realistically, though, he told the board he was hoping to get one or two.
“We are where we are,” said Chief Alves.
Mr. Gaspar told the chief it “might work out better” in the long run if he ended up with fewer than he hoped, and promised to explain it to the chief “later.”
The motion passed to allow the chief to promote the three part time officers to full time, and to access the list for a full time officer. They also voted to allow him to hire a full time dispatcher for the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, “if appropriate,” meaning if the unions can agree to it.
“It’s really a unique type of thing,” said Mr. Gaspar.
Town Administrator Brian Noble informed the board that the town had received grant money totalling 97% of the Parting Ways Weatherization project. The total cost of the project is $23,318. Eversource will pay $1,988, and a grant from the Mass. Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is $20,680, leaving $650 for the town to pay. The project consists of installing insulation, weather stripping, a new front door, and some windows.
Mr. Noble also told the board that he was pleasantly surprised when the state approved the proposed Veterans District that Acushnet and Fairhaven want to create. The plan is to share the cost of a veterans agent and clerical support. Mr. Noble said that neither town expected the state to approve the draft they sent.
The two towns will split costs of one full time and one part time veterans agent, and one part time administrative assistant. Right now Acushnet has a part time agent with no clerical support, and Fairhaven has an administrative assistant, but no veterans agent because he retired and has not been replaced.
Both Selectboards have given the “yellow light” only to the two TAs, said Mr. Noble. The next step is to get full approval from both towns to pursue hiring personnel. He is hoping to have the personnel in place starting in January.
In a rather cryptic exchange, Mr. Gaspar asked why the Department of Public Works was not on the agenda as he had requested. Mr. Noble said that the DPW had asked to be placed on the agenda for 10/23 when they would be “better prepared.”
Mr. Gaspar seemed bit annoyed by the answer: “So the problem will be solved and it will a non-event,” he said.
There was no elaboration on what the “event” was.
In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Account Clerk Deb Saucier in the Finance Department as of 10/5; and Karen Knox from the Community Preservation Committee. Mr. Cabral encouraged residents to consider joining the CPC. Contact the Selectboard’s office or the Town Clerk.
The board also:
• Approved the November State Election Warrant for 11/6/18
• Approved a senior deferral of a sewer betterment fee;
• Convened in executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy (wage and classification); and to discuss the police chief’s contract
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