Franklin County Legislature unanimously approves routine payments, grants and personnel changes, and honors Duane Volunteer Fire Department

The Franklin County Legislature met Sept. 3, 2020, and unanimously adopted a package of routine measures, including payment of a 2019 security invoice, acceptance of two grants, changes to two county positions, and resolutions honoring the Duane Volunteer Fire Department on its 50th anniversary.

Chairman Donald Dabiew called the session to order at 11:37 A.M., Clerk Penny A. Premo called the roll and confirmed all districts were represented. The body unanimously approved the minutes from the Aug. 27, 2020 meeting after a motion by Legislator Lauzon and a second by Legislator Ellis.

The legislature approved Resolution No. 183 to pay a previously unpaid invoice from Johnson Controls Security Solutions dated May 16, 2019, for $4,770.60 to be charged to Account No. 01-30-3150-10-4298 (Equipment Maintenance). Legislator Ellis moved the resolution and Legislator Lauzon seconded; all members voted in the affirmative.

Two grant-related measures were adopted. Resolution No. 184 authorizes acceptance of $17,882 awarded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for a Highway Safety program and amends the 2020 budget to add matching revenue and contractual expense entries (01-31-3389.20 and 01-31-3310-10-4000). Resolution No. 191 authorizes amending the 2020 budget to accept a $10,000 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant, adding $10,000 to revenue and contractual expenses (01-33-3589-10 and 01-33-3645-38-4000). Both measures were moved and seconded as indicated in the record and were adopted unanimously.

The legislature also approved two personnel-related resolutions. Resolution No. 185, offered by the Public Works & Services Committee, amends the Part Time Head Bus Driver position (30 hours) to a Full Time Head Bus Driver position (40 hours), Competitive Class Grade 6, with a base salary of $32,875, and authorizes the Franklin County Highway Superintendent to fill the position from existing funds. Resolution No. 186, offered by the Public Safety Committee, places the Principal Account Clerk/Typist position (Competitive Class, Grade 4, base salary $40,323) into the Franklin County Sheriff's Department bargaining unit effective Sept. 7, 2020; the salary will follow the bargaining unit contract. Both were approved by unanimous vote.

The legislature passed a set of ceremonial resolutions honoring the Duane Volunteer Fire Department on its 50th anniversary (Resolution No. 187) and recognizing three volunteers for 50 years of service: Richard Brown (Resolution No. 188), Edward J. Lemieux (Resolution No. 189) and F. Gil Paddock (Resolution No. 190). The resolutions recount the department's founding in 1970, community services provided (including mutual aid, wildland fire suppression, water and ice rescue, fire boat response, fire police and EMS), and the donation of land and leadership contributions by the honorees. Each resolution directs the Clerk to transmit an official copy bearing the county seal to the honorees or the department.

Clerk Premo also read a letter from Chairman Dabiew transmitting an extension of the county's Declaration of the State of Emergency for 30 days effective Sept. 7, 2020; the correspondence was accepted by the legislature.

All motions and resolutions recorded in the meeting were adopted unanimously by the seven members present (Legislators Dabiew, Lauzon, Janisewski, Dumas and Ellis in person; Legislators Lockwood and Maroun by Webex). Legislator Lauzon moved to adjourn at 12:00 P.M.; Legislator Janisewski seconded and Chairman Dabiew adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance - RES 183 (Pay 2019 Johnson Controls invoice, $4,770.60): adopted unanimously. - RES 184 (Accept Governor's Traffic Safety Committee grant, $17,882): adopted unanimously. - RES 185 (Convert Head Bus Driver to full time; Grade 6; base salary $32,875): adopted unanimously. - RES 186 (Place Principal Account Clerk/Typist into Sheriff's bargaining unit; Grade 4; base salary $40,323): adopted unanimously. - RES 187 (Honor Duane Volunteer Fire Department 50th anniversary): adopted unanimously. - RES 188 (Honor Richard Brown): adopted unanimously. - RES 189 (Honor Edward J. Lemieux): adopted unanimously. - RES 190 (Honor F. Gil Paddock): adopted unanimously. - RES 191 (Accept Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant, $10,000): adopted unanimously.

Next steps: The legislative record shows the approved appropriations and position changes will be processed by county staff; the ceremonial resolutions will be transmitted by the Clerk as directed in each resolution.