The Westville Town Council voted to adopt several revisions to the town’s personnel handbook affecting the fire department.

Council discussed raising the business travel per diem from $30 to $50 per day, clarifying adjusted work schedules so employees do not exceed 40 hours per week, and changing vacation accruals. Under the proposed changes discussed by council, new vacation accrual tiers were suggested: in effect, no vacation in the first year, eight hours in years one through five (exclusive of the first year), 120 hours for years six through 10, and 160 hours for year 11 and up — reflecting an intended move toward two to four weeks of vacation depending on tenure. Council also reviewed clothing/boot allowance language and decided to return with final wording if needed.

A motion to adopt the discussed handbook changes was moved (motion record indicates Mr. Watkins as mover); council members then voted and recorded unanimous approval (5-0). Council asked staff to finalize language and bring clean copies for the town records.

The handbook revisions are administrative and do not change the town’s pay scales. Officials said they aim to align benefits with staffing needs and retention for the fire department.