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Select Board adopts updated personnel policy after months of review
Summary
The Rondal Select Board voted to adopt a revised town personnel policy after a presentation by a town management intern and follow-up review with outside counsel; changes update harassment, medical leave and FMCSA-related sections and clarify grievance and nepotism procedures.
The Rondal Select Board voted June 8 to adopt a revised town personnel policy after a six-month review and input from legal counsel.
Jen, a town management intern who led the revision as part of a master's program internship, told the board she reviewed the town's existing policy, compared policies from 13 similar municipalities, met with department heads and consulted labor counsel Kathleen Wade. "The current draft that you have reflects those changes and about 200 hours worth of work," she said.
Board members praised the effort and pressed for clarifications on specific provisions. Select Board member Dan said he "really dug into it this time" and called Jen's work "an amazing job." Questions from members focused on at-will employment and the inability to legally require a two-week notice, anti-nepotism language and when hires would need select board approval, telecommuting authority for the town manager, grievance steps for layoffs and terminations, and whether the policy addresses firearms.
The draft incorporates attorney feedback and makes the most significant edits in sections on harassment, medical leave and FMCSA requirements, according to Jen and the town manager. The board moved and seconded approval of the policy as presented; the motion carried.
The policy will replace the town's prior personnel rules and was developed with input from department heads, the deputy treasurer and outside counsel. Town staff noted the policy clarifies processes but that some operational choices (for example, telecommuting decisions) remain within the town manager's authority.
The board did not attach a separate timetable for additional edits; members asked staff to follow up on specific wording clarifications where they had concerns.
