North Webster Town Council Clarifies Employee Procedures During Pandemic
Posted
Deb McAuliffe Sprong-
NORTH WEBSTER – The North Webster Town Council had a special meeting Wednesday to clarify procedures under the state of emergency declared because of COVID-19.
Of particular concern are town employees who interact with the public, such as police.
“You guys are out there every day,” Clerk-treasurer Betsy Luce said to Police Chief Greg Church.
Church said one officer had a possible exposure but “has done his 14 days” of quarantine and is fine.
Initially, Church said, the plan was anyone who might have been exposed would be off 14 days, but “that’s not realistic … we wouldn’t have any law enforcement officers working.” So if there is a possible exposure officers are closely monitored, taking their temperatures twice a day and checking for any symptoms related to the virus.
Officers are taking precautions whether on the job or off. Church said anytime they go into a business or residence while working they must wear a mask. In addition, he said they have been authorized to wear masks off duty anytime they are out in public.
Church said people are making masks and bringing them in for police to use. “We’re really seeing the community come together. … Even though it’s bad, hard times, we are seeing good things come out of it.”
Luce said police or any other town employees who must miss work because of exposure to COVID-19 will receive 14 days’ paid sick leave while under quarantine, and additional time as needed until they are cleared to return to work.
In other business:
• Council President Lisa Strombeck said the town “came to a standstill” on the K21 grant process because of restrictions under the state’s public health emergency. “It’s tabled until we get through this,” she said. Luce said it’s possible they will get “different requests (for the money), and needs we didn’t see before” because of the virus.
• Council agreed to Luce’s suggestion to waive wastewater penalties for three months.
• The town council meeting scheduled for April 21 has been canceled. Council tentatively set its next meeting for 6 p.m. May 19, at a location to be determined.
