Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - A personnel issue that led to a demotion for a town employee and her subsequent resignation has prompted the town to begin work on an employee handbook.
After being promoted to full-time employment with the town, Diane Gustafson apparently took a three-week unauthorized absence from her job, leaving the town with just one employee to perform necessary daily functions.
Etna Green Town Council president Eileen Hall announced during Tuesday's meeting that Gustafson "returned to town" and was told that the council voted 2-1 at a Dec. 28 meeting to retain her.
However, disciplinary action taken by the council for keeping Gustafson as a town employee included three days off without pay, a demotion from full-time to part-time status and a reduction in her hourly pay rate from $9 to $7.
Hall said that Gustafson then told her she wasn't sure whether she wanted to keep her job with the town and was given until prior to Tuesday's meeting to make a decision. Hall said Gustafson called her at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to say that she quit.
In light of the situation, Hall said she feels it is necessary for rules and regulations to be spelled out and is currently gleaning information from the town of Syracuse employee handbook. The other council members will review the book as well and ideas for an Etna Green employee handbook are expected to be presented next month.
Clerk-treasurer Laura Baker said the State Board of Accounts also would like to see the town establish an employee handbook.
In other business, resident Andy Cook questioned the council regarding hiring an employee to replace Randy Cloud, who was terminated from the town in October for failure to fulfill his contract for training as electric superintendent.
"Barry has carried the load for a year," Cook said, and asked whether he has been compensated for his added responsibilities. Barry Baker is the town's wastewater and street superintendent. The council said Baker has not received additional pay.
"If (Baker) gets fed up and walks, the sewage plant could lose compliance and who's going to plow the streets?" Cook said.
The council is planning to interview one applicant for the job and is expecting a resum from another. While the post hasn't been filled, the council has advertised the position and is actively seeking a replacement, Hall said.
In additional business:
• Hall was re-elected president of the council, with Ruben "R.B." Conley as vice president. Keith Robbins is the town's emergency medical technician representative on the Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service Board and Jay Rigdon was again named the town's attorney.
• The Etna Township Fire Department 2001 officer roster was announced as follows: Eric Waggoner, chief; Bob Haines, assistant chief; Loren Melton, captain; Randy Borkholder, first lieutenant; Tim Fleagle, second lieutenant; Tom Feldman, third lieutenant; and Keith Stouder, secretary/treasurer. The department has 15 firefighters.
• The council approved continuing with its water tower maintenance contract at a cost of $8,850 for three years.
The Etna Green Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the fire station meeting room. Council members are Eileen Hall, R.B. Conley and Jeff Klinefelter.
