EASTHAMPTON — The City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to transfer $49,229.24 from the city’s general reserve fund to pay retired police chief Bruce McMahon for unused sick and vacation time.
McMahon retired last October after 37 years on the force. The transfer to the police salary account will fund sick-leave buyback, accrued and unused vacation time, according to Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux.
“He’s entitled to this funding by virtue of his contract,” Councilor Daniel Rist said. “We have to do these things when our major department heads retire.”
In addition to the payment to McMahon, the council referred a $45,056 transfer request to its Finance Subcommittee that would fund sick-leave buyback for two members of the Fire Department who are set to retire early this year.
“The current collective bargaining agreement calls for the city to buy back 50 percent of unused sick time,” Fire Chief David Mottor said in a memo to the mayor.
“The amount requested is required to meet the city’s obligation in the current collective bargaining agreement.”
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.