August 2, 2022

“A motion was made by Mr. Kalkut that the Board vote to approve the changes to the collective bargaining agreement with the Norfolk Municipal Clerical Employees as represented by Local 301 AFL- CIO- CLC for the period July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 as settled through the arbitration process and authorize the Chair to execute the arbitration settlement agreement. It was seconded by Ms. Mecklenburg. Mr. Nutting reviewed that there was a dispute regarding the Clerical Union contract. The dispute was about to go to arbitration and the parties met prior to the arbitration beginning and came to an agreement. He recommended approval of the terms laid out and move forward as a team. Mr. Nutting clarified that once the contract is approved by the Board as well as the Union, the contract would then need approval from Town Meeting in order to be paid. He continued that as the 2022 Fiscal Year has ended, the money that was appropriated in FY22 has been given back to Free Cash and needs Town Meeting approval in order for it to be pulled back and appropriated in FY23. Mr. Bragdon also recommended approval of the settlement. Ms. Betsy Fijol, President of the Clerical Union and made comments on behalf of the Clerical Union. Ms. Fijol stated that the members of the Clerical Union have not received their raises or cost of living increases for Fiscal Year 22 and Fiscal Year 23. She stated that the funds have been frozen by the Town due to a pay scale error in the contract made by the Town in the negotiation process. The Union agreed to the contract based on the monetary figures in the new contract. She recognized that there was a clerical error that needs to be resolved. She noted that the Clerical Union employees were deemed " essential" by the Town during the COVID pandemic and continued to provide services during this period. She continued that during this unprecedented time of inflation, the Town is holding the employees' much needed pay increases. She requested on behalf of the union that the Board approve the requested settlement and that the Town pay the Clerical Union their raises and backpay. She requested that the Board ask the Advisory Committee for a monetary transfer so that active, former and retired Clerical Union employees may be reimbursed as soon as possible. Ms. Mecklenburg thanked Ms. Fijol for her comments and stated that the Board would take Ms. Fijol's comments under advisement. Ms. Mecklenburg continued that she appreciates that this process has been a trial and apologized for that. Ms. Fijol also requested that should the Clerical Union employees have to wait for Town Meeting for the FY22 payments, to please at least reimburse the employees for the FY23 retroactive payments and begin the payroll change forms to initiate pay raises once the contract is approved by the Board and Union. Ms. Mecklenburg responded that the Board will discuss. Ms. Fijol reiterated that the Clerical Union is looking forward to resolving the issues and moving forward. The motion was then voted; Ms. Mecklenburg and Mr. Kalkut were both in favor. The motion was approved..” (Motion: Kalkut, second: Mecklenburg)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“A motion was made by Mr. Kalkut that the Board vote to close the warrant for Special Town meeting to be held on November 15, 2022 on September 19, 2022 at 5 p.m. It was seconded by Ms. Mecklenburg and so voted; Ms. Mecklenburg and Mr. Kalkut were both in favor. The motion was approved..” (Motion: Kalkut, second: Mecklenburg)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“A motion was made by Mr. Kalkut that the Board vote to provide detail officers as required by MGL. One officer placed inside the polls during polling hours and additionally 2 detail officers to provide traffic assistance at the two entrances at morning drop off and 2 detail officers at afternoon pick up to assure there are no issues at the September 6, 2022 State Primary Election. It was seconded by Ms. Mecklenburg and so voted; Ms. Mecklenburg and Mr. Kalkut were both in favor. The motion was approved..” (Motion: Kalkut, second: Mecklenburg)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“A motion was made by Ms. Mecklenburg that the Board vote to appoint Kevin Kalkut as the Select Board Clerk. It was seconded by Mr. Kalkut and so voted; both Mr. Kalkut and Ms. Mecklenburg were in favor. The motion was approved..” (Motion: Mecklenburg, second: Kalkut)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“A motion was made by Ms. Mecklenburg that the Board change the date of the next Select Board meeting from September 6, 2022 to September 14, 2022. It was seconded by Mr. Kalkut and so voted; both Ms. Mecklenburg and Mr. Kalkut were in favor. The motion was approved..” (Motion: Mecklenburg, second: Kalkut)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)