NORWICH – In an effort to cut city spending, last month Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey raised a motion requiring all department heads in the City of Norwich to present their requests for temporary employees before they are hired.
Despite the fact that the funds for the positions are budgeted, Roberts said he wants the committee to make the determinations on a case by case basis. “I know the money is in the budget, but I request any summer help be brought before [the Finance and Personnel Committee] before they are brought on. That way we can really watch what we are spending this year and make sure our expenses won’t exceed our revenue,” Jeffrey said. The alderman explained that he was not looking to deny the hiring of the summer help, but just wanted to know where the money was going. “I want to know what moneys we’re expending for the positions and what it’s used for,” Jeffrey said.
On Tuesday night, this suggestion was put into practice as two department heads went before the committee to discuss their summer or temporary workers.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson was the first to make his request. Ivarson asked the committee to approve the hiring of eight temporary summer employees. He explained five employees would be working with the highway department and three would be doing grounds keeping work. The funds for the DPW’s summer help comes out of three different budgets; the general fund, the water fund and the sewer fund. The ultimate impact on the general fund has historically been between $8,000 and $10,000.
The committee unanimously recommended council approval for the hiring of the summer help.
Finance Director William Roberts was the next to request a temporary employee. Roberts told the committee that he has had the same temporary employee working in the office for the last four years and has been a well trained asset to the city during the summer months. Roberts explained the position helps organize the finance office and keep filing and work current. The finance position consists of 12 weeks during the summer months and two weeks over the winter holiday break for a total of 14 weeks. Roberts said the position would cost the city approximately $4,000, or $7.15 an hour. Roberts said if the regular employee is not available, no other person will be considered for the position.
The committee recommended council approval with a vote of two to zero. Jeffrey abstained.
In addition to the temporary employees, the DPW saw another addition Tuesday night. After almost a year, two positions in the water and waste water facility may be filled. Earl Monroe and William Kirkland could soon be filling two Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) I positions that have been vacant for an extended period of time. The committee recommended the council approve Monroe’s and Kirkland’s appointments to the positions.