MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
October 4, 2007
Meeting called to order at 5:07 P.M. at Town Hall.
Present Elizabeth A. Gorski, Donald N. Greaney and William H. Darke, Chairman
Chief Weeks and Sergeant Kirmelewicz
Chief Weeks and Sergeant Kirmelewicz were asked to meet with the Board to explain the procedure in the Department for scheduling details. Chairman Darke told the Officers that the Board wants to be certain that everything is being done appropriately.
Chief Weeks told the Board that he has never gotten involved in the scheduling of details; that it had once been the duty of the Dispatchers under their contract, but now the Supervisor on duty takes care of filling the details. Weeks stated that if someone is getting more than the others, those who are concerned should have gone to him about it; that Sgts. Kirmelewicz and Gillen are in charge of the book; that the scheduling should be done fairly and if it is not, that his office is open to anyone who feels they are not getting their fair share.
Kirmelewicz explained the process to the Board; that the men are numbered 1-8; that the calls go out in that order and you fall to the bottom of the list as you respond. Selectman Greaney asked what if a man is on duty and gets called for a detail, how can he fill the detail and it was explained that vacation or “time due” days are used for him to accept the detail. Kirmelewicz stated that it is posted in the computer. Kirmelewicz gave the Board copies of the slips (2) currently being used for details, and explained that the “Time Off Request” must be filled out, given to the Chief’s secretary, then to Kirmelewicz for posting. Darke asked who checks if the man actually has time available to use and Kirmelewicz responded that the computer is checked. Chief Weeks
explained that they now have a lock box for the slips so they no longer are getting lost. When a Reserve is called to fill the shift for the officer taking off to fill the detail, the Reserve must put the name of the officer he is filling in for on his time slip and if he fails to do so the slip is returned and he won’t be paid until the slip is complete. All files in the secretary’s office are locked. They will begin doing a monthly audit of the process.
Selectman Greaney asked if an officer calls in to take the time off for a detail is the call in the dispatcher’s log and the Chief responded that most of the time it would be. Darke asked how time off is requested and Kirmelewicz explained that the officer calls the Superior Officer on duty, he puts a slip in the lock box and the fills the shift with a Reserve; that if there aren’t any Reserves available, then overtime is given to an officer to fill the shift.
Chief Weeks told the Board that the Board’s concern was a complete surprise to both he and Sgt. Kirmelewicz and they did not know what brought it on. Chief Weeks said he would never allow someone not to get their fair share of over-time (details). Chairman Darke asked Kirmelewicz if there are any concerns with the other men of the department about details and Kiremelewicz responded he did not think so; that some, like himself, do not take them. Selectman Gorski commented that it is not a good idea for the men to be dependent on details to support their lifestyle; that there are times when details are not so readily available.
Chairman Darke asked Kirmelewicz if he feels there are no longer issues because of the way detail scheduling is now being handled and Kirmelewicz responded that he does feel with he and Sgt. Gillen handling the paperwork and computer they both feel things are fine; that they will also have a Dispatcher check all their work to assure it is correct. Chief Weeks told the Board he feels things will be fine with this new process. Selectman Gorski told the men the Police Department is a department we are all proud of and when something comes up that can use some fixing we want to fix it. Chief Weeks responded that his department will try to fix things and were trying to do it before he received the call from the Board’s Assistant to meet with the Board; that they will react.
Selectman Greaney then asked whether the department needs all the cars parked out back of the station and Chairman Darke asked if there is a policy on on-duty officers leaving town for lunch or other reasons. The Chief responded that two of the vehicles were purchased through a community policing grant; that one of the cars may be given to the ACO because her car is in bad shape and several will eventually be traded in. Chief Weeks stated his department has never had a policy on leaving town while on duty; that the men sometimes go to Dunkin Donuts, Haverhill House of Pizza or Charlie’s Variety for their lunch. Greaney asked whether the Chief is in the office and available at times when one cruiser may be out of town getting lunch and the Chief replied that he is. Greaney said that he hopes
none of the men were upset because the Selectmen asked questions and the Chief assured him no one was. Greaney told the Chief that three years ago you had told me that you were grooming Sgt. Kirmelewicz to take over your position when you retired and Chief Weeks responded that he wanted the department to be running well so that any one of the Superior Officers could take over when he leaves.
The Selectmen thanked the Officers for meeting with them.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, upon motion duly made by Gorski, seconded by Greaney, it was unanimously
VOTED: To adjourn.
Adjourned at 6:01 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewandowski
Administrative Assistant
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