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Essex selectmen approve $10,000 transfer to school, grant back pay in overtime grievance and appoint deputy emergency official
Summary
At their July 1 meeting, the Essex Board of Selectmen unanimously approved transferring $10,000 from the Sustainable Essex (NIPS) fund to Essex Elementary School, granted three hours' back pay to a public works employee after a grievance over overtime rotation, and appointed John Planas as Deputy Director of Emergency Management.
First Selectman Norman M. Needleman presided over the Board of Selectmen meeting on July 1, where the board approved several administrative actions and remedial measures.
The board voted unanimously to transfer $10,000 from the Sustainable Essex (NIPS) fund to the Essex Elementary School Fund. Town staff reported the Sustainable Essex balance at $31,748.35; the transfer is intended to support the school’s food scrap collection program and other environmental measures and was described as sufficient to sustain the collection effort for at least the next six years. The motion to transfer was made by First Selectman Norman M. Needleman and seconded by Selectman Bruce M. Glowac.
The board also addressed a Step 2 grievance filed by Joseph Lucarelli, an Equipment Operator II with the Town of Essex Public Works Department and a member of Local 1303-285 of Council 4 of the AFL-CIO. Lucarelli cited Section 5.4 of the collective bargaining agreement, quoting that “All overtime, as it becomes available, shall be offered to bargaining unit members that have indicated a desire for such work, on a rotation basis, utilizing a card rotation system. First preference for all overtime will be given to the bargaining unit member whose assigned card on top of the card rotation.” He said he was skipped for an overtime shift he should have been offered. The board voted to award Lucarelli a minimum of three hours’ back pay and recommended that the union overtime rotation cards be kept in a centralized location to improve transparency and compliance. The motion was moved by First Selectman Needleman, seconded by Selectman Glowac, and approved unanimously.
On appointments, First Selectman Needleman announced the appointment of John Planas as Deputy Director of Emergency Management; Needleman noted the appointment carries no additional monetary compensation. The board also discussed a vacancy on the Connecticut Water Customer Advisory Council and asked staff to confirm whether DG Fitton—who previously expressed interest—remains available; any appointment would be placed on a future agenda.
In personnel business, the board moved to table the Highway Leadman job description; Selectman Stacia Libby seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
