6 - 19 - 07
At a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen held Tuesday, June 19, 2007 the following were present: Chairman Paul J. Connors, Vice Chairman and Clerk Richard W. Wells, members James F. Burgess, Jr., William Alexopoulos, and Maureen C. Kenney, Executive Secretary Michael J. Carroll, and Administrative Assistant Linda M. Sproules.
Board of Recreation: Chairman Debra Ouellette, Vice Chairman Richard Sass, Interim Recreation Director Paul Maloof, Interim Recreation Facilities Manager Susan Young, and Special Events Coordinator Burt Herman.
This is a disciplinary hearing regarding Interim Recreation Director Paul Maloof. The hearing opened at 5:08 p.m.
The Selectmen were acting on the request of the Board of Recreation regarding employee Paul Maloof who is the Interim Director of Recreation. He received a notice of this meeting. Notice was read by the Chairman. Open meeting law sections were read. Paul Maloof acknowledged that he was aware of his rights and that he was notified of this meeting in writing. He requested an open session. He said he was not represented by counsel at this time. Mr. Connors said the Board would honor his request. Mr. Connors further stated that letters would be read into the record and the hearing could be continued.
Letter dated June 1, 2007 from the Board of Recreation requesting disciplinary action was read. Attached letter dated 6/2/07 from the large users of the ice was read. Mr. Maloof had copies of both.
Board of Recreation: Chairman Debra Ouellette and Vice Chairman Richard Sass came forward. Mr. Maloof said he did not have a copy of the May 30, 2007 minutes of the Board of Recreation. A copy was to be given to him. Minutes of 5-30-07 were read. Ms. Ouellette read a statement indicating she wished Town Counsel were present. She did not have a formal presentation. She read from a statement received (emailed) on 6-19-07. Letter (email) received from member Juan Carlos Serna was also read. Ms. Ouellette said they have a strong board. (Dick Wells arrived at 5:29 pm). Ms. Ouellette read some emails into the record.
June 1st email to Paul Maloof seeking transfer to school revolving account for the pool. Ms. Ouellette had to go to Mr. Moore today about this. She said the Board of Recreation had never seen the letter.
Memo from Police Chief dated June 8th. Ms. Ouellette said she never received a copy of this memo and neither did the person running the fair. She felt the memo was out of line. She should have been notified. She said the Board of Recreation is in charge of the employees of the department. Vice Chairman Richard Sass said they found out about the letter and were refused a copy by Mr. Maloof. Sunday morning Mr. Maloof approached Burt Herman and told him he would be removed by police if he did not follow directions from Mr. Maloof. Mr. Sass said he has had two conflicts with Paul Maloof to stand up for other members of the board or department. It was a heated verbal confrontation.
May 1st email was read.
June 12th email was read. (Starts with "Reminder-Our meeting…")
June 15th email requesting listing of summer employees.
Ms. Ouellette said she did not receive anything by Monday and so she asked him again. He refused to give it. She said everything should come to the Board of Recreation for approval before going out or advertised. He did not respond and was very rude to her. She as Chairman should not be yelled at. At her request, Richard Sass went to Personnel Director Mike Lane to complain. They had no idea who the summer employees were. Enrollment is down. They want to see the program go. The Baptist Church summer program costs less money than the town's.
Two meetings prior to June 12th - Mr. Maloof came in, stated his case and left. He was not present for the vote with the tenants.
Meeting of June 12th - Paul Maloof was there. All present receive copies of minutes. Introduction sheet from Mr. Maloof was received in re: day trips, rink. She read this. The tenants were advised that the rates may be increased, not definitely. Ms. Ouellette said she did not feel that she was in conflict with anything. Mr. Sass said the memo is dated June 12th. The Board of Recreation voted $175.00 per hour. He does not try to get along with the Board. Mr. Maloof plans to charge $180.00 despite the vote of the Board of Recreation.
Letter to Burt Herman thanking him for the fair was read.
Emails from Recreation members stating that they could not be here due to work were received. Mr. Sass had nothing further.
Burt Herman read a statement about the incident with Paul Maloof at the fair. (Copy will be provided). On Saturday night, Burt was not feeling well and asked that volunteer Joe DeMaggio be allowed into the booth to count the money. The detail officer refused to allow it. On Sunday Mr. Maloof berated him for it and threatened him with arrest. Mr. Herman stated that Paul Maloof wants to Ms. Ouellette away with youth basketball. He doesn't stock the office with paper products, i.e. toilet paper, office supplies. No stamps. No A/C in office. Mr. Herman said he has been working for youth for over 40 years. He said he has done a lot of fundraising and has received a lot of awards.
Mr. Connors noted that there was a letter from the tenants read and asked if any were present. Negative.
Mr. Sass said they were not aware that others would be allowed to speak so they did not ask anyone to attend to speak on their behalf.
Mr. Connors said he received an envelope in his mailbox last weekend from Paul Maloof. He did not read it. Ms. Young said that she left it in his mailbox. Other members did not receive it. Mr. Maloof said that Selectman Wells got it at their meeting.
Mr. Connors said three issues would be addressed.
A letter received by a previous summer employee was received. Mr. Maloof was asked if there was a summer program in place (other than the June 12th letter) and were there soccer, basketball, and playground. Mr. Burgess referred to the June 18th letter from a previous employment and he wanted the letter read. Mr. Burgess read the letter dated June 18th from Brett Tuck.
June 18th memo about the summer employees list from Ms. Ouellette was read.
June 15th email beginning with "Hello Everyone" was read.
One last email was read…..
Anything marked will be provided by Mr. Carroll to Mr. Maloof tomorrow.
Mr. Connors said the Board of Selectmen was told that the pool bill was all set. Mr. Carroll said the contract provides for automatic transfer from Recreation to School Department. He had not been able to reach Steve Moore today. Mr. Maloof said that the automatic clause was taken out of the contract. On a voucher dated 6/30, Mr. Maloof said he would pay the $18,000 to the School Dept. He said that Selectman Wells helped with this. Ms. Kenney said there was a Memorandum of Agreement between School and Recreation which took many months to hammer out, something which was once a handshake agreement. It was very specific and it was the first time this had ever happened. Ms. Kenney asked Ms. Ouellette if she was aware of the Memorandum of Agreement. Ms. Ouellette said the original was worked on. The final draft was given to Board of Recreation who signed and Mr. Maloof was to bring it to the Town Hall. She called Steve Moore who said he sent an invoice on June 1st. It needed
Board of Recreation authorization for the transfer. They should have received it. Mr. Connors read the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the School Committee and all of the Board of Recreation. Mr. Maloof said he received a memo from Steve Moore stating that they owed $18,000. Mr. Maloof said they would submit a voucher each month beginning next month at $1,500 each month to heat the pool. He said that Selectman Wells assisted with this agreement. Mr. Connors asked why it couldn't be paid now. Mr. Maloof said he doesn't pay in advance. Ms. Kenney said it was for a year. The Town Accountant has the agreement. It is a blanket authorization.
Mr. Connors asked Personnel Director Michael Lane about the list of employees. He replied that it had been left in the Selectmen's office. Mr. Maloof said 20 staff members were hired - less than ½ of last year due to lower enrollment. There is a ratio of one staff member to 5-7 participants. Eleven of the 14 were told to meet with them. Three have been put on an alternate list if enrollment goes up. They interviewed and gave a bio to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Burgess asked if the Board of Recreation saw or voted the list of employees at a board meeting. Ms. Ouellette said "no, not until yesterday" when she was instructed to go to Personnel. Mr. Burgess asked Mr. Lane about the hiring process. Mr. Lane said it was in the middle of the hiring process. It goes to
him first, then to Board of Selectmen who has to appoint. Mr. Burgess said it missed the Board of Recreation. It was provided. Ms. Kenney asked about the criteria for selecting from a pool of applicants. Mr. Lane said these are all rehires and they are each put on a Personnel Action Form. They are not new employees. Ms. Kenney asked if the town had a policy regarding nepotism. Negative. She asked what would constitute a conflict of interest. Direct supervision, signing off on payroll could be a conflict. It is not a violation of HR policy. Ms. Kenney asked if the town gave a priority to RHS graduates. Mr. Lane said there was no such policy. Ms. Kenney asked if there was an unwritten preference. Negative. Mr. Sass said the information was not provided by Mr. Maloof. What took the Board of Selectmen two minutes took them 2 weeks. Mr. Sass was not questioning the hires but said it was a
courtesy due the Board of Recreation. Mr. Maloof said the information was not available until next week. Mr. Connors said the Board of Selectmen had not seen the list. Mr. Connors said the summer program list does not show soccer, basketball, or playground. Mr. Maloof said the summer program starts next week for 8 weeks. Pool, skating rink, playground are used. Same as last year. Thursday night at 7 p.m. there will be a meeting in the east gym of the High School for parents to get information. Ms. Kenney asked Mr. Maloof why there was uncertainty about the program. Mr. Maloof said he did not know how the program would be administered this year. Ms. Kenney asked why not design the program and announce the administration later.
There was a discussion concerning the date for continuation of this meeting. Mr. Burgess is away next week. He is away Saturday morning. Mr. Burgess asked if Mr. Maloof was going to submit any documents. Mr. Maloof replied in the negative. Ms. Ouellette submitted minutes April 30-June 12.
Discussion about dates for continuance. Continued to Thursday, July 5th at 5p.m.
IBPO Grievance- Step 2 can go to Step 3. Police are inclined to go to Step 3. Mr. Wells moved that the Board of Selectmen go to Step 3. No second. Mr. Burgess moved to grant the grievance. Seconded by Mr. Connors. Voted, 3-1-1 (Alexopoulos opposed, Wells abstained).
Meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
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CLERK OF THE BOARD
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