1979/02/22 MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE Regular Meeting
February 22, 1979 ·
Members Present: Thomas W. Ward, Jr., Blanche J. Delaney, Dr. John McIntosh,
John F. Miller, Robert Dacey, Joseph A. Bernardi
Others Present: Gary S. Clinton, Finance Director; Mayor Orlando P. R aqazzi~
Deputy Mayor Robert Argazzi, Arthur B. Powers, Corporation
Counsel Harry N. Jackaway; Kay Cahill, reporter-The Herald;
John Heenehan, reporter-Hartford Courant
Meeting was called to order at 8:40 P.M. by Chairman Ward.
MINUTES
Motion was made by Mrs. Delaney, seconded by Mr. D~cey and VOTED
to approve the minutes of February 20, 1979 meeting.
OLD BUSINESS - see minutes of February 13, 1979
Chairman Ward read a letter from Arthur B. Powers to Mayor Ragazzi
stating his position on his acceptance of accured vacation pay. This was
vacation he had earned the previous year and because he felt he should
stay on the job to ensure a smooth transition, he did not take his vacation.
He pointed out a memo sent to all Department Heads in November of 1976
indicating all elected officials were to be treated equally as ~own
employees. He stated he has worked too hard to creat a decent image, he has
a lot of pride and he would not have accepted the vacation pay if he didn't
earn it. He agreed there should be a written policy however, he still
maintains elected officials should have the same rights as a Town employee.
The Executive Board has asked that the Mayor's account be repl~hished ~and
he feels he shouldn't have to return the funds.
Corporation Counsel Jackaway advised the Board, prior to answerinq
questions, he represents Mr. Powers personally and he is a close friend.
When asked if an elected official is a Town employee, he stated no. There
are statutes in the State which define employees and they exclude elected
officials. When asked if elected officials are entitled to accrued vacation
pay, he advised he contacted the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
however, they could not provide the date as to what other towns were doing.
So he called several surrounding communities and of the 6 cities or towns
contacted, 3 had personnel rules: Southington-the Town Clerk is the only
elected official and he is entitled to accrued vacation pay; Simsbury-the
First Selectman works full time and is entitled to accrued vacation pay;
and, Meriden-the elected officials are not entitled to accrued vacation pay.
He listed his arguments against elected officials receiving accrued vacation
pay: 1) State Statutues state elected officials are not employees 2) our
Charter defines elected officials and employees separately 3) the Mayor's
office is not a full time job; they can come and go as they please 4) we do
have written personnel policies written by Mr. Powers which specifically
excl%de elected officials. The arguments for: 1) they do participate in
the insurance and pension plans; the pension plan specifically states elected
officials and employees may participate in the plan--nothing in writing with
~spect to the insurance coverage 2) our elected officials do adhere to the
same vacation schedule of the employees--one year/2 weeks, etc. 3) our
,e~ected officials do receive pay increases 4) from a fiscal and financial
~v.iew he is entitled to the pay 5) I have always been reminded when sitting
in on negotiations that I should be cautious conceding to benefits because it
~ould effect non-union employees and elected officials. We do not have a
Written policy. This is a decision the Board of Finance will have to make.
There is no question in my mind that what he did he felt he was entitled to
the benefits; it has the color of respect.
Chairman Ward said he strongly supports this because he knows this is
how it has been considered in the past.
Mr. Dacey said Mr. Powers deserves the pay and we should fund the money
for the balance of the fiscal year. Mr. Powers could have taken the last
40 days off but he didn't want to leave the Town without a Mayor.
Mr. Powers pointed out this is why he has asked for an aide--we do not
have the continuity in the Mayor's office, not just for vacations but in
cases of disability.
Mrs. Delaney said she would have thought he would have considered the
limited aspect of the term and perhaps have questioned the vacation payment.
She added, I am really astonished that you feel this is correct to do. You
should admit you are wrong and return the money.
Mr. Powers said elected officials ~e--~e~ ~-~ible for ai~-other 'f~inge'
benefits'and there was never a question. Now we are saying everything except
vacation. I don't feel it is fair. I don't want to be put in the position
of embarrassment. I am stubborn enough that it was given in good faith. The
Executive Board is a personnel authority and they did vote on this in good
faith; there was agreement that the Mayor should receive vacation pay which
he had earned. I don't think the Board of Finance should dictate personnel
policy. You do not have the right to deny payment to an individual when it
has been earned through past service.
Mr. Miller said the elected officials are entitled to vacation that they
take during the term of office.
Attorney Jackaway stated the custom that has grown with this Town is a
little different. Ordinarily elected officials just get their salary but
it does not work in this Town because our elected officials have followed
vacation schedules and have taken vacations on the number of years in office.
This is the custom that they followed.
Chairman Ward said he was considering the elected officials as employees
and it has been this way for years. It is not illegal; many towns pay the
elected officials but we don't have anything in writing; it was assumed by the
Mayor. Do you back up the person or do you say the State Statutes say that
an elected official is not a Town employee?
Dr. McIntosh stated if it was taken during the anniversary date there
would be no problem, but this was accrued.
Mr. Powers stated he didn't feel the Town could run without a Mayor if
he resigned March 1 and left 27 days earlier. He added, I felt it was my
responsibility. I am not going to beg; it is not my style.
After Mayor Ragazzi, Deputy Mayor Argazzi, Corporation Counsel Jackaway
and Mr. Powers left, Chairman Ward asked if there was a motion to reconsider
the motion made on February 13. Mr. Bernardi said he feels badly for the
incumbent, addiDg,_there is nothing political but my feeling has not changed.
Chairman Ward pointed out we are not going to follow any procedure on
a lot of things. We did feel they were employees; we do lack a book however.
He added, I do not know whether the previous requests should have been
approved; you are not being consistent. You have two choices: 1) appropriate
the additional funds or, 2) hope that the former Mayor returns the money to
the Town.
Mrs. Delaney felt there should be a letter sent to the former Mayor
requesting reimbursement of the money.
Motion was made by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mrs. Delaney to
reconsider the motion made on February 13, 1979 to appropriate
$1,969.00 from the General Fund to account #101 Mayor.
Prior to the vote, Mrs. Delaney requested the Board consider amending
the motion to directing a letter be written requesting Mr. Powers to return
the money.
Chairman Ward said the official memos were assumed by the Executive
Board to be the policy of the Town. You cannot separate the Chief of Police
and the Mayor--you are still talking about termination of benefits. They
were guidelines set forth by the Mayor and the Executive Board.
Mrs. Delaney said she didn't want to see funds go into the account until
we attempt to get the money back.
Mr. Miller announced he intends to abstain from voting as he was
involved in seeking the mayoralty and he didn't want people to feel there
are sour grapes.
The vote to reconsider the motion: IN FAVOR: Mr. Dacey
OPPOSED: Mrs. Delaney, Dr. McIntosh, Mr. Bernardi
ABSTAINED: Mr. Miller
Motion was made by Mrs. Delaney, seconded by Dr. McIntosh to
send a letter to the Executive Board requesting they write to
Mr. Powers requesting reimbursement of $2,312.27 in accrued
vacation pay to the Town of Berlin
Mr. Bernardi stated he thinks it would be demeaning. If he accepts
the vote, he will return the money. He will not leave Mr. Ragazzi out
in the cold. I think good conscience will prevail.
The motion was withdrawn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 P.M.
Respe~tfu~itted,
ud~it~ Lindq~en, secretary
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD
February 22, 1979
The SPECIAL meeting of the Executive Board was called to order by Mayor
Orlando P. RagaZzi at 7:30 p.m. Deputy Mayor Robert A. Argazzi was present.
Deputy Mayor Joseph P. Lanzoni was absent.
Also present were: Members of the Board of Finance - Thomas ~. Ward, Jr.,
Blanche Delaney, Joseph Bernardi, Robert Dacey, Dr. John McIntosh; John
Miller; Judith Lindgren, Secretary to the Board of Fina~e; Richard Russell,
Director of Public Buildings; Donald Prue, Superintendent of Streets;
Edward Haber, Chief Mechanic; Theodore Hrubiec, Superintendent of Public
Grounds; James Capodice, Director of Recreation; Gary Clinton, Finance
Director; Kay Cahill representing the Herald; John Heenehan representing
the Hartford Courant; Attorney Harry N. Jackaway (part of the meeting);
former Mayor Arthur B. Powers (part of the meeting).
Mr. Prue reported that his.department now has fewer men than it has had
since 1972. He is now operating with fifteen men and feels that they are
not accomplishing what the people deserve, as a lot of the work that is
requested cannot be fit into their schedule. He is requesting two regular
town employees, if not CETA positions are requested.
Mr. Haber reported that his CETA employee is terminating the week of 2/26/79
and when this position is up on September 50, 1979 his department will be
· shorthanded. He reported that his work load is increasing and is backlogged
at the present time. Mr. Ward asked if there are good mechanics available
under CETA and Mr. Haber reported that there probably aren't. Mr. Ward
stated that if the town is going to consider funding any positions they
should be in the area of skilled people such as mechanics. Mr. Argazzi stated
that the CETA program is to train people and it would be nice to train a
mechanic. Mr. Bernardi suggested the possibility of utilizing overtime
with the present staff to accomplish the workload. Mr. Haber stated this
is something that could be tried. Mr. Ward asked Mr. Haber to check with
his men to see if they would be willing to put in the overtime and report
back to Mr. Nard. Mr. Haber is requesting a regular town employee.
Mayor Ragazzi asked Mr. Prue if overtime would solve his workload problem.
Mr. Pure replied that it would mean having to double up on districts, but
they could do it. One private contractor could be eliminated.
Mr. Russell reported that he presently has five C£TA employees and one
anti-recessional employee. He is requesting that the Electrician definitely
be retained as a regular town employee. Mr. Russell reported that the
painter is also very skilled and should also be retained as a regular town
employee. In order of preference he stated that he is also requesting
the Custodian at the Police Department, Custodian at Town Hall, Custodian
at the Youth Center and the Maintenance Helper. Mr. Russell also reported
that his department did have a plumber under the anti-recessional program
which terminated. He is now contracting all plumbing work. Mr. Hrubiec
stated that if Mr. Russell did fill this position, the plumber could also
.~ be used for pool maintenance. Mr. Russell stated that he would like to
maintain CETA positions if regular town employees are not forthcoming.
Executive Board Minutes
/22/79
Mr. Hrubiec reported that he presently has two CETA people. He explained
that he is requesting two regular town employees as the workload of his
department has increased due to the additional recreation facilities.
Mr. Hrubiec stated that if the two regular town employees are not forth-
coming he would like to retain the two CETA positions.
Mr. Capodice reported that presently his department has t~o full time positions~
himself and the clerk in his office. He is requesting that Assistant
Director of Parks and Recreation and the Supervisor of the'Community Center
be retained as regular town employees. He reported that his departsent
maintains approximately 280 part time people during a years time and 75 to
85 programs are maintained. An Assistant Director has been requested'for
many years, as it is difficult for one.person to supervise the program~'
and the part time employees. Mr. Capodice also reported that the 'Supervisor
at the Community Center is the only-full time position at tko Center, He
also requested that the Custodian be retained as a CETA position as the
Center will not be able to remain open if there is no custodian.
Mr. Clinton reported that there have been four employees in his department
(not including himself). He explained that many new systems have been
implemented in the past few years and feels if these positions are not
maintained his department will not be able to accom~lis~ the' workload in
total. Mr. Clinton stated that most of their time ~s utilized handling
Accounts Payable and Fringe Benefits. Mr. Argazzi asked if the cost of
outside computer services has been checked into. Mr. Clinton replied that
this was checked before purchasing the computer in his department. At that
time it was determined the way to go was in house. He stated that he feels
in the next five years it would be feasible to go with_ an outside service
for payroll, Accounts Payable and Inventory. Mr. Clinton is requesting
that the Anti-recession position and the CETA position he retained as regular
town employees. Mr. Clinton reported that he would like to retain the
two positions as CETA positions if tike two regular town employees are
not forthcoming.
Mayor Ragazzi reported that he is requesting that the clerk he. retained
in the Mayor's office. He presented the dUties that are now: being carried
out and explained that the Mayor's Office is currently handling approximately
twelve welfare cases per week. This takes up approximately thirteen hours
per week. The new requirement that the Mayor's Office maintain the Executive
Board Signature Plate requires approximately two hours per week. Mayor
Ragazzi is also requesting that the position of Administrative Service
Director or Personnel Director be instituted as a regular town position.
He presented a list of duties that would be handled under this position. Mr.
Ward requested that a Job Description be prepared and forwarded to the Board
of Finance. Mayor Ragazzi stressed that he ~s requesting the position
of Personnel Director and not necessarily the person.
Mrs. Delaney asked if a full time position is needed at the Reception Desk.
Mayor Ragazzi reported that his office is looking into a direct dialing
system for town hall, but that the town is not yet equipped for such a
system. He stated that actually one and a half positions could be eliminated
with this system and that a cost study is being done. The town will not "
be equipped before March of 1980.
Executive Board Minutes
z/zz179
-3-
There being no further business to come before the Executive Board, the
meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary