04/26/1982 PERSONNEL BOARD Minutes

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Personnel Board's Minutes of April 26, 1982 Page 4 Selectman Garland mentioned again that at first it sounded to him that this may be the answer with the Finance member and Selectman serving on the Personnel Board, but in think- ing about it he is not so sure it is a wise step to take. Selectwoman Thomas mentioned that she had contacted other towns and met with the Personnel Director in Barnstable. She said that she received books in regard to a personnel grade plan which Mashpee does not have. Reference was made to Mashpee's salary range having no high, medium or low figures. Also, reference was made to the job description on file for the secretaries in the Selectmen's office which needed improvement as some of the categor- ies on the job description no longer pertain. She stated that it was not a proper plan to put in for approval. Selectman Garland gave examples on how step increasescould work referring to three different grades; an Administrative Secretary having no stenographic skills (bottom level), an Ad- ministrative Secretary with stenographic skills (second level) and then an Administrative Secretary with full secretarial expertise with shorthand (highest level). He made reference to the recent incident where the Department Head pointed out that shorthand capabilities were not required. Selectwoman Thomas stated that the Personnel Board was negotiating job titles and not ne- gotiating responsibility. Selectman Garland said that he felt that a fair and proper job classification had to be es- tablished and then step and pay increases could be invoked. Caroline mentioned that there were too few employees in the town to do it that way as you may have one person in each job title. .Selectman Garland asked the question of where an employee goes when they get to a higher step. Referring to her job with the Government, Caroline replied that most jobs would be advertised at a certain figure and then there would be yearly increments. There would be an entering salary and then a yearly increase if the rating was satisfactory. When an employee reached the top of the scale, they either stayed there or got a promotion. Selectman Garland made reference to the step increase being badly abused in the past. He said that a criteria needed to be established and that the decision of an independent Board was extremely important. Sel. Garland also mentioned that the question of whether jobs are growing or if that particular job has grown needed to be looked into. Bob referred to a book which decribes all job levels. He also mentioned that the business department at the Cape Cod Community College would be interested in working on Mashpee's problem. Caroline referred back to the conversation on how we can all be equal if the Board of Sel- ectmen have the authority. Selectman Garland stated that the point he was trying to make was that in the past with the effort and judgement of the Personnel Board, recommendations were made in the order of one, two and three. He said that does not mean number three won't be chosen. Bob commented that it caused hard feelings when four people saw it one way. OCaroline asked if the Selectmen were planning to withdraw the article. Selectman Garland said that it couldn't be withdrawn. Selectwoman Thomas that it could be posponed indefinitely.