7/17/1997 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Minutes

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AFFIRMATIVE ACTION HEARING COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 17, 1997 Committee Members Present: Chairman Jan Strickland, Melbourne Cragwell, Peter Dinizio, Norma Kumin, and Marcia Lindsey, Alternate. Also, present during the meeting was the Affirmative Action Officer, Marilyn Farren, Executive Secretary,Robert Whritenour, James Long, Council on Aging Director, and Greg Taylor, Union Steward. Chairman Strickland convened the meeting at 3:10 p.m. Mr. Strickland stated that all members received a copy of a letter from Ms. Monroe to Bob Whritenour indicating that she would not be attending the hearing. Peter Dinizio commented that it was a letter from Mr. Whritenour indicating that she wouldn't be coming. Mr. Cragwell asked if she sent the letter to Mr. Whritenour. Bob W. said "no" and indicated that she (Ms. Monroe) contacted the office directly and spoke with his assistant, Mrs. Mason. He said that he confirmed it. Mr, Strickland said that Ms. Monroe has not contacted anyone on the committee as to her reason for not attending. Marilyn Farren, Affirmative Action Officer, said that she received a phone call at home earlier today. Ms. Monroe was trying to reach her at the office. She said that she called her and she indicated that she had broke her ankle and that she would be out of work four to six weeks and could not attend the hearing today. Mrs. Farren said that she found a note on her desk that she is out of work. Mr. Strickland asked if this was her reason for not attending. Mrs. Farren said that she (Ms. Monroe) indicated her blood pressure was up and she was having difficulty breathing and there was some swelling going on. Peter Dinizio asked if she was confined to her home. Marilyn F, said that she only was in touch with her as of today. She didn't indicate that she was confined to her home. She had mentioned that she was to go out of town to New Jersey and canceled those plans. Mr. Cragwell asked if Mr. Long would speak to the complaints. Bob W. said that this was to be a hearing which was scheduled on Daphne Monroe's behalf, based on her request. Town Counsel was to be here to conduct the hearing to gather all the information. When they had received notification that Daphne Monroe could not attend the hearing, they contacted Town Counsel as to what they should do as a recommended course of action. At that time, it was determined that Town Counsel would not take the trip and charge the town for a hearing if the person wasn't here and that in the absence of this person, the Affirmative Action Committee doesn't recommend it go forward. Town Counsel recommends, at this time, based on the information they have in front of them that the Affirmative Action committee take a vote to close the matter, In the future if there is more information or another request for a hearing,the issue should be addressed at that time. But as far as this complaint, there is no basis to move forward without anything.