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Richmond board grants police grievance on pay for contracted intermunicipal services
Summary
After hearing from union and police representatives and residents, the Select Board granted a grievance finding that officers providing contracted services to Hinesburg qualify for contract-assignment pay (half-time additional) under the collective bargaining agreement; the board asked staff to implement the adjustment and clarify coding and billing.
The Richmond Select Board voted Aug. 18 to grant a grievance filed by the police union about pay for officers while Richmond provides contracted services to Hinesburg. The grievance argued that hours worked under the intermunicipal agreement are "contract assignment" work under the collective bargaining agreement and therefore warrant the additional pay defined in the contract; the board voted to grant the grievance for both general and patrol services.
Christopher Hoare, representing the New England Police Benevolent Association, said the language in the collective-bargaining agreement covers contract-assignment work and that officers should receive the additional compensation. Sergeant Matt Cohen explained operationally how Richmond has covered Hinesburg when Hinesburg has no officers on duty and told the board that coverage has increased the Richmond officer’s workload. Residents expressed concerns about coverage gaps in Richmond while officers are assigned elsewhere; several said delayed responses created safety worries.
Board members discussed the contractual language, revenue from Hinesburg (an hourly rate was quoted in the intermunicipal agreement) and how payroll and billing will be coded. Select Board member Bart Hill moved to grant the grievance for both general and patrol services; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The board instructed staff to implement pay adjustments consistent with the contract and to clarify how hours will be coded and billed so the town’s revenue and payroll reconcile.
The board also agreed to have additional discussion with Hinesburg officials and staff to coordinate coverage expectations and to return with a plan to reduce any coverage gaps in Richmond if needed.
