DARTMOUTH YOUTH COMMISSION

DARTMOUTH YOUTH COMMISSION
AGENDA and MINUTES
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2004, 12:00 P.M.

Present: Gale Schultz, Chairperson, Lorraine Gagne, Vice-chairperson, Alyson Bellora, Debra Brejcha, Kevin Lee, Youth Advocate and Justine Clarke, clerk

Regrets: Valerie Alves Absent: Jay Swanson

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Agenda

· Commissioners, we will be meeting at lunchtime so feel free to bring a lunch for yourself!!!

Approval of Open Session Minutes from June 2, 2004

Old Business:

· Finalize the Youth Commission’s proposal for new labor contract with the Youth Advocate.

Please note: Commissioners decided at our last meeting that Kevin’s contract would be our only business.

Enclosures:

June 2, 2004 Minutes

Resignation letter from Tony Martin dated 6/1/04

Minutes

Gale Schultz called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.

Approval of Minutes from June 2, 2004. Alyson Bellora made a motion to accept the

minutes of June 2, 2004. Debra Brejcha seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.

Youth Advocate’s Report:

Kevin reported to Commissioners that on June 24, 2004 he took the Teen Group on an

outing to Provincetown. It was a wonderful day and the Teen Group enjoyed themselves.

Kevin reported that he will be on vacation the week of August 1, 2004 to August 6, 2004.

Old Business:

Finalize Youth Advocate’s proposal for his labor contract:

Kevin reported that he spoke with Michael Gagne, Executive Administrator, who

informed him that the Board of Selectman empowered Mr. Gagne, not MMA, to do

assessments/reclassifications for town employees. Kevin presented Commissioners with a copy of an article in The Standard Times dated

June 22, 2004. This article reported the Dartmouth Police Departments pay raises for

the next 3 years. Kevin stated that he would like to withdraw his first draft proposal and presented the

Commissioners with a new contact proposal.

Compensation:

First year of contract ………2% increase

Second year of contract…….2% increase

Third year of contract………2% increase

Kevin’s current salary is $59,917.00. At the end of 3 years his salary would be

$63,584.00.

Gale Schultz stated that the Commission will vote on vacation benefits and sick leave

buy-back but will wait for majority of Commissioners to be present to vote on

compensation.

Vacation

Kevin stated that per the Dartmouth personnel bylaws he will be eligible for 5 weeks vacation beginning August 24, 2004. This date reflects Kevin’s 20 year anniversary as an employee. The Youth Commission feels this bylaw is appropriate.

Sick Leave buy-back

Kevin currently receives $20.00 per day. Kevin proposes, as per current personnel by-laws, for accumulated sick days beyond 50 days he receive $35.00 per day. He stated that he presently has 255 sick days accumulated and buy-back caps out at 365 days. He proposes that sick leave buy-back rate in his next contract would begin at sick leave accumulated from the date of signing.

The Youth Commission agrees with Kevin’s sick leave buy-back proposal as stated above.

Cola/Merit Increase

Kevin stated that his current contract states that combined COLA and any merit increase cannot exceed 3 percent total. Kevin proposes that he receive COLA, determined by the Select Board and Town Meeting, with no cap.

Alyson Bellora asked Kevin how many town employees have a cap on COLA. Kevin stated that very few employees have a cap on COLA.

Gale Schultz shared with Commissioners an argument against no cap on COLA. She stated that people who are opposed to no cap on COLA voice concerns that increases can reach 7 percent per year.

Gale stated that another option for Kevin’s contract is to propose that combined COLA and merit increase not exceed 5 percent per year. Commission agreed.

Kevin asked Commissioners if they would consider voting on his proposed contract today. Due to summer vacations it may be difficult to meet again and he would like to get his contract finalized. Commissioners agreed with this.

The Commission went back to review and discuss Kevin’s proposed compensation.

Gale Schultz stated that she agrees with what Kevin proposes in terms of compensation. Commission also agrees that 2% increase per year is acceptable.

The Commission presented changes for the record.

In terms of:

Compensation: 2 % per year for the next 3 years.

Vacation: Beginning August 24, 2004 Kevin is entitled to 5 weeks per year.

Sick Leave-buy-back: For accumulated sick days beyond 50 days amount will be $35.00 per day. Sick leave buy-back rate in his contract would begin at sick leave accumulated from signing date. (Kevin presently has 255 sick days accumulated and buy-back caps out at 365 days.)

Cola/Merit Increase:

Combined COLA and merit increase cannot exceed 5% per year.

Alyson Bellora made a motion to accept Contract Proposal #2 as modified. Debra Brejcha seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.

Kevin stated that he would make changes to contract and present to Commissioners for their signatures.

Kevin thanked Commissioners for their continued support and work on contract negotiations.

Kevin stated that reclassification of Youth Advocate’s job description be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Dartmouth Youth Commission is scheduled for September 22, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 314 of the Dartmouth Town Hall.