Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middletown council orders review of public works director posting, adds residency question
Summary
The council voted 8-3 to refer a corrected posting for the director of public works to the General Counsel Commission, asking that it include the city's residency rules and require applicants to state whether they are residents, would relocate, or would require a residency waiver.
The Middlesex Common Council on Feb. 10 approved a motion (8-3) directing the General Counsel Commission to review and correct the posted job description for the City of Middletown's director of public works. Sponsors said the existing posting on the city website was not approved by the council and may contain inconsistent language about bargaining status and the residency requirement.
The resolution asks the General Counsel Commission to: review the proposed posting and attachments; ensure the job description references the city's residency ordinance; and require that applicant packets include a residency question with three responses: (1) I am a Middletown resident; (2) I am not a Middletown resident but could relocate within a stated period; or (3) I would not reside in Middletown and would request a residency waiver. Sponsors said the measure is intended to avoid hiring under a potentially incorrect posting and to give the council and administration a clear common document for hires.
Council members debated timing and the risk of delaying hires for a critical department. Supporters stressed the urgency of correcting the posting and giving applicants an opportunity to confirm or update their residency status; opponents warned that delaying the hiring process could prolong the department vacancy. The motion passed with eight votes in favor and three opposed.
What happens next: The General Counsel Commission will review the posting and return a corrected job description to the council; the administration will be asked to hold off on hiring from the existing posting until the corrected posting is issued.
