Westport Personnel Board Approves Part-Time Animal Control Pay Rate
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Meeting Type:
Human Relations Committee
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Meeting Date:
07/16/2024
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Recording Published:
07/17/2024
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Duration:
64 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Bristol County
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Towns:
Westport
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent session, Westport Personnel Board has unanimously approved a $25 per hour pay rate for the part-time Animal Control Officer (ACO) position. The meeting also addressed the need for utilizing a recent compensation study to correct salary discrepancies across various town departments, including the underpaid position of the Town Administrator.
The board’s discussion around the part-time ACO position was comprehensive, considering various implications of the job’s demands and the town’s budget. A raise to $25 an hour was suggested for the full-time ACO, emphasizing the increased workload and the challenging aspects of the role. The Finance Committee’s support for increased funding to the ACO position was noted, underlining the board’s efforts to align the town’s compensation rates with the responsibilities of the role.
Moreover, the meeting brought to light the unresolved compensation for the current full-time ACO. While the board acknowledged the difficulty in setting an appropriate compensation range due to varying work hours across communities, no clear resolution was reached by the end of the meeting.
In addition to the ACO’s pay rate, the board tackled the establishment of an hourly wage for a new part-time position intended to assist with content creation for the local Peg channels. The position, designed to support Valerie at meetings and enhance the public channel, sparked a debate over the proposed hourly rate. The board eventually passed a motion to set the rate range at $24 to $25 per hour, after considering its impact on other positions and the potential for future adjustments based on the findings of the compensation study.
The Personnel Board’s deliberations also extended to the impact of part-time work on benefits eligibility. Discussions included whether to limit the hours of the new position to stay below the 20-hour threshold that would trigger benefits. The board resolved to approve the pay rate without specifying the number of hours.
The study, which highlighted underpaid positions and stressed the need for salary adjustments, was urged by the board to be used to inform budget decisions. The members expressed a strong desire for the study to become a public document that instigates action, rather than remaining unutilized. They also discussed the potential formation of a working group to follow up on the study’s implementation and address its findings.
Another topic of consideration was the unexpected passing of an individual in the cemetery department. While brief, this mention added a somber note to the meeting and highlighted the often-unanticipated human elements within the town’s operational discussions.
Lastly, the meeting touched upon administrative matters, including the process of filling an open position on the Personnel Board and updating the board’s section on the town website. The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn.
Jim Hartnett
Human Relations Committee Officials:
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Meeting Type:
Human Relations Committee
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Meeting Date:
07/16/2024
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Recording Published:
07/17/2024
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Duration:
64 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Bristol County
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Towns:
Westport
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