HR email: Pollack, Barry, Kerr 11-26, 11-27-12

From: "yalescribe@att.net" <yalescribe@att.net>

To: Brian Kimbiz <briankimbiztrustee@gmail.com>; Amy Cohen <amyblueberry@gmail.com>; Randall Leverette <r.lev@outlook.com>; Kevin Barry <kevinbarrylaw@yahoo.com>; Donpaltz@aol.com; Ross Pollack <yalescribe@att.net>

Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 12:01 PM

Subject: 11-26-2012, Noon

Hi, All,

I think I’m current on all the HR Subcommittee e-mails, but I still feel we ought not get caught up in defending a snapshot of where the headcount issue was some weeks ago. Nor do I appreciate some of us being attacked for attempting the task assigned us, or think it is fair to scare employees about “firings” we never intended, never called for, and never had the power to execute.

But having said that, and knowing full well that merger will be opposed, no matter what our numbers and arguments show, I don’t think this is the proper context for joining in such a fight at this time.

For one thing, Deputy Mayor Sally Rhoads said that a grand understanding between herself, Supervisor Zimet, Chris Marx and Bleu Terwilliger ended any question of headcount in the highway/DPW area, by urging that the Town and Village departments be merged at full strength. If that is questioned, I’d like Sally (who will still be overseas on vacation on Tuesday) to be present when the issue is rehashed.

But secondly, our report need only be defended by pointing out that it was correct in context. Surely Mayor West did not create our subcommittee without realizing that headcount would be explored if we were to consider substantial tax savings.

Even at this late date, I’m not sure what the Town’s full headcount was in 211. I’ve heard many numbers, one as high as ten times the Village headcount. To be sure, the Town has wide responsibilities and certain functions (police and Moriello Pool, for example) require more employees to guarantee coverage. While the Village has roughly 7,000 constituents for its functions, the Town focuses on another 7,000 (Town Outside Village residents) for some governmental matters and must serve the full community of 14,000 (including the Village) for others.

I think it wise to discuss merger as broadly as possible – not as one of eight Subcommittees – once the Finance Committee can show numbers for merged cost versus continuing two governments, and when more has been sketched in as to the shape of departments and their responsibilities. Fighting over a discarded DPW headcount estimate for 2015 is hardly the fulcrum of a good debate.

I agree with Amy and Randall. Let’s cancel our Tuesday meeting (or at the least postpone it until Sally Rhoads can explain the understanding regarding highway/DPW merger), issue a press release giving the HR Subcommittee’s current thinking, and add explanatory paragraphs to our report if/where needed.

Ross

From: kevinbarrylaw@yahoo.com
To: amyblueberry@gmail.com, r.lev@outlook.com, donpaltz@aol.com,briankimbiz@gmail.com

Sent: 11/26/2012 2:29:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Subj: Fw: 11-26-2012, Noon

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Kevin Barry <kevinbarrylaw@yahoo.com>
To: "yalescribe@att.net" <yalescribe@att.net>

Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 2:09 PM
Subject: Re: 11-26-2012, Noon
Perhaps we should reschedule. Kevin

From: kevinbarrylaw@yahoo.com

To: yalescribe@att.net, donpaltz@aol.com, amyblueberry@gmail.com,r.lev@outlook.com, amyblueberry@gmail.com

Sent: 11/27/2012 10:44:09 A.M. Eastern Standard Time

Subj: (no subject)

I think we should defer to the advice offered by Ross and reschedule our meeting for next week. Kevin

From: "donpaltz@aol.com" <donpaltz@aol.com>
To: kevinbarrylaw@yahoo.com; yalescribe@att.net; amyblueberry@gmail.com;r.lev@outlook.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 10:55 AM
Subject: Re:
All,

SOMEone should inform the Clerks so that they can inform staff.
That someone will not be me.

Regards,

Don

From: kevinbarrylaw@yahoo.com
To: donpaltz@aol.com, amyblueberry@gmail.com, r.lev@outlook.com,yalescribe@att.net
Sent: 11/27/2012 12:54:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Re:



Brian: Can we get some input from you. Kevin