DRAFT COPY

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Hladki, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Rosemary Rinella, Mike Hiner, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins and Diane Misze.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Hiner and Lynn Young. (Lynn was absent due to a death in the family.) Mike arrived at 5:45 p.m.

Supervisor, Scott Hladki, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall at 5:30 p.m.

This meeting was called, posted, and advertised, for additional review of the 06-07 budget and to hold a public hearing regarding the same.

Review of the budget took place again to review changes that were directed to be made at the previous meeting. Three residents and two township employees attended the public hearing.

BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING:

Motion by Diane, support by Scott, PASSED to open the public hearing. Yes: all.

The budget for fiscal year 06-07 is being reviewed again at this meeting. Mary Ellen explained to those present what each column of numbers represented in the budget handouts that she prepared. Questions from residents were in regard to road repair and who was responsible for putting back gravel on roads when the snow plows remove the gravel during plowing. Scott stated the road commission is responsible for replacing the gravel. Both township secretaries were present to question the board regarding their pay for the upcoming fiscal year. Mary Ellen explained, again, that both part time secretaries were at the same rate of pay. The difference in pay came about last year when cost of living and merit raises were given. One of the secretaries in this shared job position was more advanced; therefore, she was given an additional fifteen cents per hour by the board. She stated this year the board is giving all hourly employees a four percent pay increase for cost of living and no merit raises are being given this upcoming fiscal year. She stated that this is what Scott budgeted for and if merit raises are going to be given to one employee then all hourly employees should be considered for a merit raise as well. Some board members stated that they believe both people in this position are doing equal work and should get equal pay. Mary Ellen stated that they both are doing a good job; however, to bring the pay range back together one is giving one hourly employee the four percent cost of living and fifteen cents more per hour than every other hourly employee when the raises are not being based on merit only cost of living for all other hourly employees. Petsy stated since they are both doing the same job and they are both present stating they would like resolution to the pay range issue then the board should approve the same pay for both people. Mary Ellen stated they are not the only two hourly employees and if merit raises are being given to one then they should be considered for all hourly employees. Mike stated his approval to make the pay the same for both people and stated, what ever you call the raises, cost of living or merit, if they are doing the same job they should be paid the same. Mary Ellen reminded the board that they approved this pay difference last year based on evaluations given at that time. Petsy asked if evaluations were given to the secretaries yet this year. Mary Ellen stated the personnel policy calls for an annual evaluation on the employee's anniversary date and the policy states that a written evaluation shall be prepared and discussed with the employee. Original copies of the evaluation shall be given to the employee, a copy placed in the personnel file, and a summary of the evaluation provided to the board of trustees. The policy also states that the written evaluation shall be discussed with the employee. Mary Ellen stated that Scott attempted, with Rosemary present, to give an evaluation to one of the secretaries and did not even have a written evaluation prepared to go over with this secretary. She stated that she was invited to join this evaluation and upon finding that a written evaluation was not even prepared; Mary Ellen stated this evaluation is being conducted in blatant violation of the personnel policy and the evaluation was stopped. Further discussion followed regarding this issue.

Motion by Petsy, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the same rate of pay for both secretaries at $9.52 an hour. Roll call vote: Yes: Petsy, Mike, Diane, Rosemary and Scott. No: Mary Ellen.

Mary Ellen explained that she had nothing against the secretaries pay becoming the same rate of pay as they both are doing a good job; however, she disagrees that a merit raise should only be offered to one hourly employee.

Motion by Diane, support by Rosemary, PASSED to close the public hearing. Yes: all.

Scott stated that the final budget hearing will be held on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 4:00 at the township hall.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Rosemary, support by Petsy, PASSED to adjourn at 5:59 p.m.