Issue sparks vigorous debate in Twin Lakes
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
In a sharply debated Twin Lakes Village Board meeting Monday, the board approved severance pay for fired officials who hold positions of clerk and accountant/treasurer, pending specific conditions.
The vote passed 4-2, with trustees Barb Andres and Sharon Bower in opposition of the resolution.
Trustees in favor were Thomas Connolly, Jeremy Knoll, Kevin Fitzgerald and Board President Howard Skinner.
Aaron Karow was absent from Monday’s board meeting.
The terms of the agreement include compensating a future clerk or accountant/treasurer equal to one weeks pay for each year serving the village.
“I don’t see a reason to reward someone for being fired,” Andres told other board members. “These are free-will employees just like any other positions.”
Fitzgerald responded by saying a severance is not uncommon in businesses and other civic organizations.
Initially, the resolution was effective immediately upon hire, but Fitzgerald motioned to amend it, stating the agreement goes into effect following a one-year waiting period.
Additionally, the amendment includes four weeks pay for people serving less than 10 years, with a jump to six weeks if the employee serves beyond a decade.
The resolution comes shortly after Cathy Richardson retired from her position following 23 years of service.
In the Richardson agreement, it indicated that she would be paid one week for each year served, in addition to other benefits given to other employees.
If Richardson had been fired, the resolution indicates she would have been paid one week for each year served, in addition to other benefits given to other employees.
While Richardson did not receive any terms in the severance agreement, it provides benefits for those serving the position in the future.
Connolly, who lobbied for the resolution, said it was imperative to have safeguards for future employees, noting previous boards have been overzealous.
“It only affects the board if you fire them,” Connolly said. “We have had some tenacious boards here within the last 15 years.”
According to the resolution, the agreement “encourages retention and to provide some degree of financial protection to the holders of the position.”
In 2014, the clerk and treasurer positions were split, creating two village positions – the clerk and accountant/treasurer.
Other business
The board approved, without any opposition, the following measures:
• Twin Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce’s proposal to place signs promoting its 2016 gala.
• Authorized permission to the Lakewood School Parent-Teacher Organization to sell flowers in the parking lot near the Community Library.
• Granted Randall Consolidated School’s PTO request to hang a banner across North Lake Avenue to promote the March 19 ShamRock N Run 5K.