HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 02/24/1997RiEi r 11�ED
TRUSTEES OF THE MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY � �' H ,, . ; i� I E L D
MINUTES OF THE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1997 97 NP1 -6 fi l 9: $
ATTENDANCE: Nancy Breef-Pilz, Leonard Epstein, Chris Cormier Hhyes, i;)ifi j S E T TS
Lipson, Vivian Sweet, Leslie Pasch
A meeting was held of the Trustees of the Mansfield Public Library on Monday,
February, 24, 1997 to discuss the budget in light of the Board's meeting with the Finance
Committee on February 15th.
The Board reviewed a letter prepared by Leslie to members of the Finance
Committee explaining the increase of $5,073.00 for two Senior Library Technicians.
Leslie and the Board agree that these two senior positions, which have been set at 32
hours per week, are functionally full-time, and should be increased to 36 hours per week.
(Please see attached letter.)
Lines 5215 (heat) has been decreased to $4100.00, and line 5242 (maintenance of
equipment) has been decreased to $4300.00
The Board directed Leslie to forward copies of the letter to each member of the
Finance Committee and to Bill Williams.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.
Rnesspectfully� submitted,
Chris Cormier Hayes
Secretary
'�^VV^ 1
MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
255HopeSt., Mansfield, MA02848
(508)251-7380
February 19, 1997
To: Andres Gazzolo, Chairperson, Finance Committee
All Members of Finance Committee
From: Leslie A. Pasch, Library Director
The purpose of this memo is to provide additional information you requested
concerning line items in the Library's proposed FY'98 budget.
Line 5113 --Technical Support (,salaries)
Please find attached a breakdown of all salaries contained in line 5113 of the
FY'98 proposed budget. There are step raises for each employee as per the salary
schedule approved by the Library Board of Trustees. There is an additional $5073
to increase two Senior Library Technicians from 32 to 36 hours per week. This
was included to address an employment problem which has existed for many years
and is explained below.
Senior Library Technician --Circulation and Senior Library Technician --
Technical Services have always been set at 32 hours per week although they are
functionally full-time (36 hours at the library.) My predecessor and I were
repeatedly told over a period of years by the former Town Treasurer that these two
positions could never be raised to full-time because the town would then have to
pay retirement benefits. (They have always had health benefits.) This was
incorrect because it was subsequently disclosed that eligibility for the retirement
plan occurs when an employee works 20 hours per week and enrollment is
mandatory. This fact was disclosed when one Senior Library Technician undertook
her own investigation by directly contacting the Bristol County Retirement Board.
In January 1996, the first of three library employees were informed by the
board that they were indeed eligible for Bristol County retirement. (The third
employee works 21 hours per week and there is no increase to her hours in our
budget.) After many months of communication with the Town Treasurer, all three
are now enrolled in the retirement system and the library personnel policy has
been amended to reflect this requirement. Because all three staff members were
wrongfully deprived of their right to participate in a required plan, they also
received letters informing them of the total of make-up payments for the purchase
of lost years of creditable service. This "buy-back" totaled thousands of dollars
for each employee. The Senior Library Technicians have worked in these
positions for the past four and eight years, respectively.
After discussion at several Library Trustees' meetings in spring/summer 1996,
it was decided to put these two positions in the PP98 proposed budget at 36
hours. Both positions have supervisory responsiblities and would have been full-
time under, any other circumstances. The Trustees have an established policy of
requiring at least one senior staff member to be on duty during all regular hours.
Senior Library Technicians rotate these duties with the three professional
librarians on a regular basis.
The Trustees and I believe this would correct a long-standing error regarding
the status of these two positions. Because they are already receiving all possible
benefits of full-time workers, except for longevity, there is no longer a valid reason
to keep them at 32 hours when they are needed at 36. Each would receive $250 in
longevity as per the library personnel, policy. We also feel that this would ease a
great deal of the bad feeling that has resulted over the deprivation of their
retirement benefits over a period of years.
Line 5215—Heat
Decreased to $4100.
Line 5242 Maintenance of Equipment
Decreased to $4300. This includes the cost of professionally testing the building's
fire alarm system/emergency lights which has not been done since 1994 (estimate
$260-290 for library share.) Also, the elevator inspection fee required by law has
increased from $300 to $400 (library pays alone.)
At our meeting with you on February 15 there was mention of discussing a
budget which includes Sunday hours . The Library Trustees and I would be happy
to answer any questions about Sundays or meet with you at any time.
cc: Library Trustees
b
MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
255 Hope St., Mansfield, MA 02048 .
(506)2617380
February 6, 1996
Joan Cutillo, Town Treasurer
Town of Mansfield
50 West Street
Mansfield, MA 02048
Dear Joan:
I am writing in regard to the attached correspondence from the Bristol County
Retirement Board stating that Barbara Sheffield, a library employee, is eligible for
membership in the Bristol County Retirement System..There are two additional
employees, Patricia Cournoyer and Nancy Mei, who consistently work over 20 hours per
week and, according to Cynthia Bernods letter, may be similiarly eligible. I understand
they have also contacted the retirement board
I made the Board of Library Trustees aware of this situation at our regular meeting on
Saturday, February 3, 1996 and they are concerned that this issue may also effect the
rights of former employees. The Trustees and I would like to be advised of further
developments concerning this matter.
Sincerely yours,
slie.A. Pasch
Director
cc: Bill Williams, Town manager
Board of Selectmen
(Eommontncalth of -ffla55ar11uactts
�O BRISTOL COUNTY RETIREMENT SYSTEM
9JJ4cNos 645 COUNTY STREET
COUNTY CROSSING RETIREMENT BOARD
RETIREMENT BOARD TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02780
`TEL. (508)824-4029 ELECTED MEMBERS.
WILLIAM M. DOWNER
CHAIRMAN FAX: (508) 880-8749 '.
Atly. PATRICK H. HARRINGTON GEORGE E FOSTER
COUNTY TREASURER '.
'. EXECUTIVE. DIRECTOR
CYNTHIA J. BERNON
January 30, 1996
Joan Cutillo, Treasurer
Town of Mansfield
50 West Street
Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048
RE: Barbara Sheffield.
Dear Ms.'Cutillo:
The Bristol County Retirement Board is in receipt of letter dated January
18, 1996 from Barbara Sheffield of the Mansfield Public Library in which
she indicates that she is a permanent part-time employee for the town of
Mansfield: and has been working in this capacity (thirty.' -two hours per
week) since March, 1993.In her letter, she has inquired to the Board
whether she is eligible for membership in the Bristol County Retirement
System based upon the number of hours she regularly works at the library.
We are of: the opinion that Ms. Sheffield satisfies the Board's rule which
states that any employee who is :regularly scheduled to work twenty or ;more
hours per week is eligible for membership in the retirement system.
The Retirement Board therefore requests 'a letter from you attesting to the
number of hours Ms. Sheffield has worked on a weekly basis since March, 1993.
Your immediate attention'. in this matter would be greatly appreciated.'..
Sincerely;,
Cynthia J. Bernon, Executive Director
Bristol County Retirement Board
cc: Barbara Sheffield
Board of Selectmen
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