Personnel Board clarifies voluntary transfers under SAP after Katie Berry moves to Building Department
Summary
Personnel Director reported Katie Berry moved to the Building Department as a grade‑5, step‑8 Business Administrator. Board agreed voluntary internal transfers do not automatically trigger Section 8a votes and asked labor counsel to clarify SAP language addressing lateral moves.
Personnel Director Mark reported that Katie Berry moved from the Selectman’s office to the Building Department as a Business Administrator at grade 5, step 8. Mark said the appointment did not require action by the Personnel Board because it fell within the Personnel Director’s thresholds under the SAP.
The chair explained he had placed a separate agenda item on voluntary transitions to highlight recurring confusion when employees move between departments. Board members agreed that employees moving laterally should not lose tenure or accrued benefits and asked for clearer language in the SAP to avoid recurring misunderstandings. Dorianne suggested adding an "8c" to the SAP to explicitly address lateral transfers; Mark said labor counsel is already reviewing sections that may need clarification.
Board direction: staff will work with labor counsel to draft clarifying language for the SAP and return proposed changes for committee review with the intention of preparing any warrant language needed for a future town meeting.
