Eads Board Discusses Summer Help Salaries

By Chris Sorensen

KCP Staff

May 21, 2004

[Editor’s note: coverage of a portion of this meeting appeared in the May 15 issue of the Press.]

The Town of Eads Board of Trustees met in regular session May 11 evening with board members Charles Howard, Diane Crow, Dorie Musgrave, Daryll Adamson and Mayor Larry Michael present. Board members Jan King and John Philpy were absent.

Eads Police Officer Chad Ray reported that the Department of Defense had made an equipment and training grant award to the county. The grant application was written last year, and covers about $12,000 in surveillance equipment and four days of training in Maryland.

As requested at the previous meeting, Van Brown, Director of Public Works, presented a list of proposed salaries for summer maintenance help and swimming pool staff. Howard stated that, so long as the figures were under budget, the salaries should Brown’s responsibility without the board second-guessing him. Musgrave, however, questioned how the proposed salaries, ranging from $5.50 to $7.00, compared to similar positions in neighboring communities, and cautioned against setting a precedent. Brown said he had not made such a comparison, and based the figures on the jobs he asked employees to do. Musgrave also wondered how the temporary workers’ pay compared to the schedule for full time employees. Peck said temporary staff was not addressed in the salary schedule, but noted the lowest rate on the schedule for a new employee is $6.25 per hour. Following some additional discussion, the board voted to approve the figures Brown presented, though Musgrave said she would still like to see a comparison to other area pay rates. Michael stated that, with the amounts being paid, he didn’t want to see "two guys riding around in a pickup," a complaint he hears regularly from citizen. Other board members concurred. "If they’re going to a water leak, that’s one thing, but I think there’s too much ‘goof off’ time." Brown asked to be informed of such complaints in the future, so he could pass it along to the crew.

Peck reported that she had received paperwork back relating to the Department of Local Affairs grant that will be used to repair and resurface Maine Street, but has not yet heard what the next steps will be to start the project.

The board approved letting Butch Robertson connect a fence charger at the town well site, where he has land. Though no formal agreement will be signed, Davis stated that the board could withdraw its approval at any time.

Building permits for Ruth Miller and Steven Puls were approved.

Jan Richards, Deputy Town Clerk, informed the board that a "Your Town" planning workshop will be held June 3-5. Eads is one of four communities across the country to receive a grant to cover the costs of the workshop.

Board members approved AJ McCracken as a new member of the Eads Volunteer Fire Department.

The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Due to municipal elections, the next regular meeting has been moved from June 8 to June 10.