News

Union unhappy with health department regionalization

Salisbury Town Notebook
Angeljean Chiaramida
Published: June 22, 2009

The patrolmen's union isn't the only town employee union disgruntled over the layoffs and cutbacks of town employee jobs and hours at Town Hall.

The cutbacks, the result of severely dwindling town revenues, have eliminated the equivalent of five full-time positions at Town Hall. Two full-time employees were laid off, and a number of others had hours cut back.

The choice of how those cutbacks and layoffs occurred wasn't to the liking of Teamster's Local 170 Union Representative Ed Adley, who felt the cuts in staffing brought by the expected regionalization of Salisbury's health department with Amesbury and Newburyport was inappropriate. Adley represents the department heads and administrative assistance unions in both Salisbury and Newburyport.

"I don't thing the regionalization should fly," Adley said. "The cities and town involved should be negotiating with union officials and not with the members (town employees involved).

Adley's comment was run by Town Manager Neil Harrington, who took the comment pretty much in stride, as a function of Adley's job as a union representative is sticking up for his members.

"He's entitled to his opinion," Harrington said. "I've had my meeting with the union."

However, Harrington didn't say he or his counterparts in Newburyport or Amesbury are planning to back off on regionalizing the health departments. Harrington has commented repeatedly that the Salisbury health department has been "running on fumes" for past years, and he expects the regionalizing of the department to improve Salisbury's health department services at half the price.

Selectmen are expected to discuss the agreement at their meeting tonight, set for 7 at Town Hall. The meeting will be broadcast live over the town's cable access channel.

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According to a message receive from Chairman Chuck Colburn, the Salisbury Liquor Licensing Commission meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed until Tuesday, June 30.

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Town Moderator Ron Ray offered a list of vacancies on two town agencies, and urged residents to try to find the time to volunteer to fill the vacancies and serve their community.

The Warrant Advisory Committee — which meets during Town Meeting and budget seasons — has three vacancies for full committee members and for one alternate member.

Parks and Recreation Commission has two vacancies.

Those interested should submit a letter of interest to Ray, care of the Town Clerk's Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 5 Beach Road, Salisbury 01952.

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Salisbury Council on Aging.

The following programs all take place at the Hilton Senior Center on 43 Lafayette Road; for more information, contact the Council on Aging at 978-462-2412.

New programs:

Watercolor Painting Easy as 1-2-3, Tree hour class, supplies provided, no experience, but pre-registration required. $20, Thursday, June 25, 12:30 p.m.

Nutrition Presentation, Claudette Novak, Monday, July, 20, 10 a.m., pre-registration required.

Weekly programs:

Exercise To Music, Tuesdays, 9 a.m.

Gentle Stretching/Yoga, Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m.

Line Dancing, Thursdays 9:30 a.m.

Walking Group meets Thursdays, 8:45 a.m.

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Angeljean Chiaramida covers Salisbury for The Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at achiaramida@newburyportnews.com, or at 978-462-6666 ext. 3271.