By Hannah Heishman
The Moorefield Town Council appointed Erica Davy to fill Mary Jo Tobin’s seat at their meeting July 15. Tobin resigned in June after serving on the Council for six years, with two years to go in her term.
Davy placed third during elections in May, behind Jason Fertig and Jim Trommatter, who were both sworn in July 1.
Davy will be sworn in during the first meeting in August.
With few exceptions, the entire meeting was related to personnel. The Council appointed Mayor Scott Fawley to serve on the Region 8 board of directors. Fawley and Council member Luke Kesner were appointed to the Town Planning Commission.
The Council re-appointed Mike Crites to the Public Library board of directors.
The most in-depth discussion was around employees with use-or-lose leave. This year, there are only two who ended the fiscal year with leave hours exceeding the 240 they’re authorized.
“It’s a pretty common discussion we have,” Fawley said. “What hinders them?”
Park manager Juwana Bridger-Titus admitted she is one of the two employees.
“A lot of the holidays we have, I’m working,” Titus said. In the past when the Council extended the time frame to use or lose the leave, she used hers after the pool closed.
Salaried employees like Titus have to work 80 hours every two weeks. So if an employee has worked his or her 80 hours and takes a day off, it doesn’t actually count as a vacation day.
Employees accrue 144 hours each year, or about 18 eight-hour days.
Public Works Director Lucas Gagnon said the Council had several options: the two employees lose their leave; extend the time until Sept. 30 like past years and come up with a plan before next year; or change the policy.
Other suggestions include paying the employees for the days they don’t use, or enabling them to donate their days.
Titus said she’d offered to donate her days, but at that time, no one needed days. Gagnon acknowledged there is an employee who will likely need donated days, but will not qualify to formally ask until later this summer.
“Last year you said, ‘this is the last year,’” Gagnon said. “I suggest this year, you do it one more year, and fix it for next year.”
The Council unanimously agreed, and extended the use-or-lose date to Sept. 30.
Council members also discussed hiring a part-time position to manage social media, the Town’s website, and assist with Celebrate Moorefield.
Gagnon agreed to put together a job description and email it to Council members. Assuming they approve, the position should be posted within a week.
The Council unanimously agreed to allow YOUTH304 use of the Park on Aug. 23 from 6-9 p.m, and waived all fees. The youth coalition will present their vision and mission at that time. They plan a concert, free food and other activities, all at no cost to attendees.
Fawley took a minute at the end of the meeting to congratulate those who put time and effort into the Celebrate Moorefield event on July 12.
“From where I sat, it was a success we can build on, for sure,” he said.
The Moorefield Council meets again Aug. 5 at 7 p.m in their Inskeep Hall chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.
