Definitions bog down tax collector discussion

KENT — During its regular meeting on March 2 at Town Hall, the Board of Selectmen continued its discussion of insurance benefits for Deborah Devaux, tax collector and sewer commission clerk. No decisions were made.

The meeting agenda indicated there would be a discussion on the town’s policies on employee time cards and the definitions of hired, appointed and elected employees.

In December at a selectmen’s meeting, Town Clerk Darlene Brady said that Devaux’s time cards as tax collector do not indicate that she’s working the full amount of time she is supposed to work in a week.

The next month, Devaux told the selectmen that she signed her own time cards because she is the only person working in the tax collector’s office.

First Selectman Bruce Adams told the board March 2 that there is no definitive town policy on town employee time cards.

“There is a town policy that only the tax collector is required to submit time cards,� Adams said. “That policy was approved as a condition for [Devaux] to receive insurance benefits. There are no other elected officials in town who are required to submit time cards.�

In January, the selectmen also debated the meaning of the definition of different types of employees and which Devaux’s two positions fall under.

Selectman Karren Garrity said she is still researching definitions with the Town Policy Committee.

“We have some preliminary definitions, but nothing we have agreed upon yet,� Garrity said. “There truly is a difference between the definitions of a hired, appointed and elected employee. The definitions vary, but they are consistent to a certain extent.�

Selectman George Jacobsen made a motion for any discussion to be tabled as the board continued to investigate the issues, which both Adams and Garrity agreed with.

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