Meeting Minutes

The Human Resources Committee met Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at The District offices at 245 Main Street, Cromwell, Connecticut.

The Chair, Tom Tokarz called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM. In addition to the Chair, present were Committee Members Gerry Amodio, Angelo D'Alfonso, Jim McNair and Doug Sienna. There was a quorum. Also present were Board Chairman Bill Candelori, Board Member Peter Centurelli and Executive Director Brian Armet.

The following is a summary of the meeting:

1) Personnel Staffing Levels

The Executive Director requested that the Committee increase the number of authorized Operators from six (6) to seven (7) for the following reasons: the potential impending retirements of three to four Shift Supervisors and Operators over the next six months to four years; the inability to attract Grade 3 Certified Operators for Third Shift Supervisor Positions (they typically do not have any incinerator experience); running as lean as we have been running, 6 Shift Supervisors and 6 Operators, was very difficult this past summer when we were down one Operations employee coupled with vacations, which was a precursor of times to come which we did not want to repeat (very stressful and overtime expense); and typically we are more successful hiring an Operator and training him to become a Shift Supervisor, however this can take as long as three years depending on the skills and education. Therefore, it is important for us to start filling the pipeline now. The Committee and the Executive Director reviewed and discussed this request at length, with the Committee asking a number of questions: what shift this seventh Operator would be assigned to; when would The District advertise the position and where; the required skills; the availability of qualified candidates; the salary budget; the status on the vacancy in the Maintenance Department; and which position had a higher priority.

The Executive Director reported that while filling both positions was important, creating and filling an Operator's Position had a higher priority. His goal, if the position was authorized was to fill it by January, 2012. The Salary Budget had adequate funds to fill this position in January, as there was a vacant Maintenance Position, and fill the vacant Maintenance Position towards late Spring. He indicated that he would advertise in the respective Trade Journal's websites, the local papers, at the upcoming Middlesex Chamber EXPO, and through assistance by Committee members. Ideally, we are looking for an individual with some Chemistry and Biology background, with at a minimum a High School Diploma. The individual, after completing his/her initial orientation, would be assigned either to the Second or Third shifts.

Mr. Sienna moved Mr. McNair seconded, and the committee approved unanimously:

MOTION: The Personnel Committee recommends increasing The District's Operations Staffing level to include an additional Operator as a Floating Operator, and refers this recommendation to the Board of Directors for their review and consideration.

2) Union Agreements – Executive Session

Mr. Sienna moved Mr. McNair seconded, and the committee approved unanimously to go into Executive Session at 6:05 PM with Board Chairman Bill Candelori, Board Member Peter Centurelli and Executive Director Brian W. Armet to discuss the upcoming renewal of The District's Union Agreements.

Mr. McNair moved Mr. Sienna seconded, and the committee approved unanimously to come out of Executive Session at 6:40 PM.

3) Related Business and Staff Updates

The Executive Director reported that the mandatory Pre-Bid Conference would be held on Thursday, October 13th at 10 AM and that Wright-Pierce was expecting 100 people to attend. The Executive Director reported that 18 firms had purchased a full set of documents at $700/set. He passed out the list of firms that had purchased the documents. These include: 13 contractors, two electrical subs, one mechanical sub and two equipment and materials suppliers.

Adjournment:

Mr. Sienna moved, and Mr. D'Alfonso seconded, and the committee approved unanimously to adjourn at 6:50 PM.