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Bethel advisory board sets 240-hour PTO carryover, doubles full-time bonuses and raises part-time bonus to $200
Summary
On Jan. 7 the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department Tax District Advisory Board set a PTO carryover cap of 240 hours effective Jan. 1, 2027, approved two-week PTO block scheduling, and voted unanimously to double full-time end-of-year bonuses and set part-time bonuses at $200.
The Bethel Volunteer Fire Department Tax District Advisory Board approved several personnel and compensation measures at its Jan. 7, 2026 meeting, including a PTO carryover ceiling and increased year-end bonuses.
Chairman Parmenter opened discussion of PTO and benefits. Staff member Ralph Merchant proposed allowing a maximum PTO carryover of 240 hours annually, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Committee member Charles moved the motion to set the cap; Mike seconded it and the motion carried unanimously. The board also approved language permitting PTO to be taken in two-week blocks and requiring staff to request special approval from the chief for longer leave.
On bonuses, Ralph recommended year-end bonuses in the $100–$250 range, noting recent salary increases affected bonus calculations. Committee member Joe Costello moved to double the proposed full-time firefighter bonuses and increase part-time firefighter bonuses to $200; Charles seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The board discussed creating a recurring budget line for bonuses going forward.
Members also updated and discussed Phase 3 of the department's restructuring plan, which includes creating a lieutenant position for each shift and potentially adding a training officer who would respond to calls. Charles said Phase 3 documentation is currently with the county and that he and Ralph will meet the county next week to advance the plan. Ralph indicated a planned change to the lieutenant job description to accept any valid driver's license rather than requiring a South Carolina driver's license because some candidates live within 50 miles.
The board reviewed operational items including turnaround for a damaged Station #1 door (quote submitted to the county), the planned purchase of Globe turnout gear by July 1, 2026, and an ordered set of Ben3 helmets (five black, one red). Walt and Ralph noted the department already pays for long-term disability benefits that begin on the 91st day of absence; the board discussed options to add long-term disability to the paid staff benefits package.
The meeting closed with an equipment-team proposal from Charles and scheduling reminders for budget training on Jan. 14 in York, S.C.
