Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North East board adopts retirement-plan amendment, approves contracts and purchase orders; directs draft of unpaid family-leave policy
Summary
At its Oct. 26 meeting the Town of North East board approved a resolution amending its 401A deferred compensation plan, authorized several vendor contracts and purchase orders, approved a water allocation and asked staff to draft a 12-week unpaid family-leave policy to run concurrent with accrued leave.
The Town of North East board on Oct. 26 adopted a resolution to amend its 401A deferred compensation matching plan and approved multiple contracts and purchase orders while directing staff to draft a town policy on unpaid family leave.
Mayor Robert F. McKnight called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the board first approved the minutes of the Oct. 12 meeting. Commissioner Paul Stark moved to approve the minutes; Commissioner Hilary Crothers-Moore seconded. The motion passed with Commissioner Eric Braley abstaining because he was not present for the earlier meeting.
The board unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2016-01-01, which updates the town’s 401A Deferred Compensation Matching Plan to include provisions required by the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Labor. Commissioner Michael Kline moved adoption and Commissioner Paul Stark seconded; the motion carried.
Finance director Ken Natale said the town is working with Howard Bank to move banking services from PNC Bank and is arranging collateral for deposits. Natale reported the fiscal-year 2016 audit is complete and that the auditor, Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra, will present findings on Nov. 9. He also reported the town is assembling data for the Willdan Financial Services utility water-rate study and presented a contract for the work; the board voted to authorize the mayor to sign the Willdan contract.
Natale recommended awarding a software contract to Edmunds & Associates after vendor demonstrations. The board approved awarding the software bid, with town officials noting delaying the award until FY2017 would increase costs by about $10,000 and require paying an additional year of licensing to the current vendor.
Town Administrator Melissa B. Cook-MacKenzie presented a water-allocation request from Gemcraft Homes Inc. for 250 gallons per day at 152 Razor Strap Road Lot 2. Commissioner Michael Kline moved approval, Commissioner Eric Braley seconded, and the allocation was approved unanimously.
The board approved several purchase orders and invoices: Purchase Order 102616-001 (Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra) for $7,500 for audit services; PO 102616-002 (Entech Engineering) for $6,300.82 for engineering and meter replacement close costs and building evaluation; and PO 102616-003 (Nichols Excavation Inc.) for $10,921 for main repair and service-line work.
On personnel matters, Mayor McKnight recommended the town adopt a modification of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act to permit up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave running concurrent with an employee’s earned sick, vacation and personal leave. The board agreed by consensus and directed Cook-MacKenzie to draft a policy retroactive to Oct. 26, 2016.
A motion to create a substitute part-time crossing guard position, requested to ensure coverage at Thomas and Mauldin, was approved. Town staff also announced a Maintenance II job opening closing Nov. 16.
During reports, Police Chief Darrell Hamilton commended Corporal Stephan Yates for receiving a DWI enforcement award at the Maryland Municipal League convention. Public comment included a concern from Robin Crothers about a citation issued to her father and correspondence from the Planning and Zoning Department.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
