NORTH MANCHESTER - With the economy currently in a slowdown, the North Manchester Town Council made a policy change regarding the town's hiring process Wednesday night.
Before Wednesday night, when there was an opening for a town position, the department affected posted the job, accepted applications, went through the interview process and then presented a recommendation to the council for approval.After a discussion Wednesday evening, the council will be made aware of all openings and evaluate the need for the position before the job is posted.
Council President Chris Garber made the recommendation Wednesday, citing the current economic conditions throughout the state.
"It may be prudent ... in a time when we may have less money in the budget than anticipated," said Garber.
The action, however, is not a hiring freeze. The council wants a chance to evaluate each position before it is posted and eventually filled. No vote was taken on the action, but the council asked department heads, who all were at the meeting, to comply with the request. The department heads agreed with the action and said they would comply.
"We're not saying that the replacement will not be allowed, we are just asking that department heads present information to us before the process begins," Garber said. "It's not really a freeze, just a change in procedure."
The town currently has no job openings that will be affected by the agreement, and part-time summer hirings will not be affected by it.
The agreement will be in effect until further notice.
In other business, the council:
n Heard from a resident who voiced concern about people walking dogs in the parks and not cleaning up after the pets. The parks department will keep an eye out and remind people to pick up after their pets.
n Held a public hearing on the proposed plans for the town's new water plant. No members of the public commented on the issue.
n Accepted the resignation of council member Gordon Richardson. Richardson sent a letter to the board explaining that when he accepted the position on the council, he did not know his job would be transferred to another state. Richardson and his family will move to South Carolina and he will not be able to serve on the board. A caucus will be held April 16 to find Richardson's replacement for the District III seat.
n Heard that the roof for The Firehouse should be finished soon, and that within two weeks the enclosure of the building and concrete flooring with heat coils will be finished.
n Learned Town Manager Dan Hannaford is concerned about bidding out the town's trash contract. If the town renews the contract with the current service, there will be a 6-percent increase in costs. However, if the town puts the contract out for bid, the option to renew the current contract will not be available. Hannaford said he is concerned that the new bids will be significantly higher due to fuel costs.
n Heard the town's spring clean-up will begin April 26 and fire hydrants will be flushed beginning April 14.
North Manchester Town Council members are Chris Garber, president; Laura Rager; James Smith; and Diane Haupert. Town clerk is Carrie Mugford.
