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Select Board approves designating recreation staff as 'special municipal employees'
Summary
The Select Board voted to designate several recreation department positions — including seasonal program instructor and camp director — as special municipal employees under MGL chapter 268A §1; staff clarified the roles are not pensionable and that overtime rules and an 800‑hour cap apply.
At the Nov. 24 meeting the Northborough Select Board voted to designate certain recreation department positions — notably seasonal program instructors and the camp director — as special municipal employees under MGL Chapter 268A §1.
Ally, the recreation director, told the board that designated special municipal employee positions would not be pensionable and that, if paid, those roles could not work more than 800 hours in a calendar year. "If it is compensated, it cannot pay for more than 800 hours per calendar year," she said, citing counsel guidance. Ally also said she expects to avoid overtime by scheduling part‑time assignments (many K–8 teachers work 35 hours per week), and that MassDevelopment‑style consultant support is not relevant here; rather, pay schedules and wages would follow existing job descriptions.
During debate board members raised concerns about whether hiring teachers as recreation staff could create overtime obligations during the school year and whether summer hires would be paid the same as other seasonal staff. Ally said wage bands are set by job description and noted a schedule that limits pay in many roles to a maximum of $60 per hour unless the bylaws are changed.
Jacob moved the measure; a second was recorded and the board took a roll‑call vote (Laura Aye, Jacob Aye, John Aye, Mike Aye, Chair Aye). The motion passed.
The select board’s vote allows the Recreation Department to recruit from within the town’s existing workforce and to hire qualified teachers or other residents for seasonal and year‑limited assignments while preserving the town’s compliance with state conflict‑of‑interest rules.
