This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/13/2021 12:00 AMAfter being delayed over concerns expressed by Republicans on the Board of Selectmen (BOS), the town approved a new Health Department position funded through grants that some officials have pushed as urgently needed to address the strain of the pandemic.
Bruce Wilson and Erin Duques, the two Republican members of the BOS, declined last month to support adding a part-time temporary position, which would be funded at about $24,000 for only two years through grants as part of the federal American Rescue Plan. The issue, they said, was that the position could become a permanent part of the budget even though the grant was temporary, with Wilson also questioning why it had not been part of the regular budget.
Health Director Trent Joseph made an emotional appeal for the position to be approved, saying that even a short delay could cause problems in his department’s operations.
The BOS voted unanimously to approve the position just about two weeks after these initial discussions, with Duques and Wilson saying their concerns had been addressed through more detailed conversations with officials.
“We got a really good explanation...on the background to this,” said Wilson. “The concerns that I have as a matter of principle that we’re creating a permanent position from temporary money is something that we just need to be transparent about.”
Wilson admitted that the town eventually “will be looking” to fund the position through tax dollars.
Duques said she shared Wilson’s concerns, and said the town needed to be “planful” about how they staffed even essential departments and services.
“There’s a very significant emphasis that this position is going to be dedicated to responding to the COVID public health emergency,” she said. “I was able to get some clarification that this person would be working on that type of focus.”