DEERFIELD — An article on the special Town Meeting warrant in Deerfield aims to clarify a shift differential bylaw and adjust compensation for town employees who work specific hours.
The article asks if residents will agree to require town departments that regularly schedule work shifts between 3 and 11 p.m. to pay employees an additional $1 for each hour worked and departments that regularly schedule shifts between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. to pay an additional $1.50 per hour. The proposed article states “regularly” will mean no less than four times weekly and in no less than 36 weeks per fiscal year.
Deerfield Town Administrator Douglas C. Finn said the proposed article is meant to clean up the bylaw’s wording. He said the specific recommended increases are in accordance with other collective bargaining agreements with town employees. He said South County Emergency Medical Services employees work around the clock.
Finn also said the special Town Meeting is being held so residents can vote on items needed for the current fiscal year. The annual Town Meeting will consider the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Both will be held in the Frontier Regional School auditorium on Monday,with the special meeting starting at 7 p.m., and the annual meeting to follow.