"The Board of Health has to make clear to its employees that the conflicts that have occurred in the past will no longer be tolerated anymore," said Human Resources Director John Senchyshyn, who served on the new Landfill Group with Board of Health Chairwoman Michelle Wolf.
The Landfill Group drafted the seven recommendations nearly a year after the town was ordered to pay a $5,000 penalty to the state for illegal dumping at the landfill.
The town's own report on that incident -- which also reviewed other alleged misdeeds at the dump and was researched by Wolf, attorney Lauren Rikleen, former Selectman Betsy Connolly and resident Ross Petty -- noted poor working conditions exist at the Rte. 20 facility.
"A deep level of distrust, anger and resentment exists among a number of individuals who spend their daily lives working there," according to the report.
The new Landfill Group is recommending representatives of the Board of Health, selectmen and Personnel Board meet directly with landfill employees to make "clear that continued disputes in the workplace will not be tolerated" and all workers must "display professional conduct" to both fellow workers and town residents.
The group also recommends an independent investigator be hired to review the town's report on the 2003 incident and related documents. This investigator could also conduct interviews as required to "determine whether any disciplinary follow-up is warranted."
Senchyshyn told selectmen last week an investigator could cost between $8,000 to $10,000.
"I think bringing in somebody from the outside ... will be a true independent evaluation," he said.
© Copyright of CNC and Herald Interactive Advertising Systems, Inc.
This is cache, read story here