MEXICO – The union contracts for the police and highway departments have been settled, the town manager will get some help, and selectmen have agreed to take another look at the paving project at the rear of the town office.
Union settlements
Town Manager Joseph Derouche said selectmen signed three-year contracts with the police and highway unions granting a 4 percent salary hike for 2002-03, and 3 percent increases each for 2003-04, and 2004-05. The 4 percent increase will be retroactive.
The police union covers three employees while the Highway Department union covers five employees.
Derouche said members of both unions will also be able to receive a $1,500 stipend in lieu of health insurance coverage provided spouses carry such insurance. He said each stipend will save the town about $8,000 per year.
The grievance procedure was slightly liberalized to allow five working days, rather than the previous three working days, for filing a grievance.
For Police Department members, a work schedule change that will reduce the amount of overtime was agreed to, while members of the Highway Department will receive an increase in the clothing allowance.
Town manager
The board agreed to upgrade the pay rate of the town manager’s secretary by 75 cents an hour on a trial basis in return for her taking over some of the 52 projects Derouche is currently working on.
Derouche said the trial plan will go into effect July 1, and continue until Oct. 22, or sooner, depending upon how well it works out. Other changes in the town manager’s job may also go into effect prior to the October date.
The reassignment of duties will take some of the load off, said Derouche, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis. He will be re-evaluated by medical specialists in October.
Because of his illness, Derouche works about 25 hours a week in the town office, while working another 25 hours per week at home.
Riverside Avenue
Selectmen accepted a petition presented by Millicent Mann and signed by more than 200 residents requesting the town to remove the newly installed curbing at the rear of the town office and library. The area is known as Riverside Avenue.
Derouche said the petition requested the change in the interest of safety. Some have complained that the curbs impede traffic flow. Petitioners ask that the curbing be placed closer to the backs of the buildings.
Derouche said the 12-foot space between the backs of the buildings and the curbs, as well as the triangular-shaped space located west of the buildings was meant to provide greenspace. The triangular parcel will also become the site of a community gazebo.
He said he will draw up alternate plans for the parcel that the board will review at its next meeting set for June 25.
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