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Hamlet Select Board upholds police-union grievance, orders $1,500 stipend paid
Summary
The Hamlet Select Board voted Aug. 18 to uphold a police-union grievance and direct payment of a $1,500 discretionary stipend to Sergeant Cooney after members said contract language was ambiguous about eligibility.
The Hamlet Select Board voted Aug. 18 to uphold a grievance filed by the police union and directed town staff to pay a $1,500 discretionary stipend to Sergeant Cooney.
Board members said the contract language governing the stipend was ambiguous, and that ambiguity created an obligation to pay the benefit in this case. "I think there is a bit of an obligation because of the ambiguity to issue the 1,500," a Select Board member said during discussion.
At a public hearing, a police union representative said the collective-bargaining agreement allows members to choose a one-time stipend paid July 1 and that Sergeant Cooney selected the stipend but did not receive payment. The union representative said the stipend was negotiated to replace several town-issued items and was to be paid without receipts. "He selected the stipend, and it it was not paid, and we're looking to have that rectified," the union representative said.
Board members questioned whether the stipend was intended only for active incumbents for a full contract year or whether it could be used to replace equipment acquired near retirement. The union representative said the stipend was discretionary and not tied to receipts or a specific purchase window. Board members discussed possible future contract clarifications but concluded the language as written supported paying the stipend now.
The board made a motion to uphold the grievance and pay the $1,500; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The meeting record shows the motion to uphold the grievance carried after members responded, "Aye." The transcript does not record a roll-call of votes by name.
Members also agreed to consider clarified or revised language in future collective-bargaining negotiations to avoid similar disputes going forward.
Why this matters: The decision resolves a dispute over interpretation of the town's contract with police employees and results in immediate payment to an officer, while prompting discussion of clearer stipend rules in future negotiations.
