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City could have nine retire under incentive

A recently approved retirement incentive could be utilized by nine or more employees in the city of Dunkirk.

In December, the Common Council approved a contract with its largest union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO Local 912. That contract included a retirement incentive, for which cost concerns originally held up its approval.

Being strapped for cash to pay the incentive in the short term was one of the concerns, despite the fact that the city would save money in the long run.

At Wednesday’s Personnel Committee meeting, Personnel Director Roger Hayden explained nine employees have expressed interest in taking advantage of the incentive and two have put in paperwork. Those inquiries include three streets employees, one wastewater employee, one maintenance mechanic, one electrician, one water meter reader and two clerical workers.

“The majority of them, because there is 30- to 60-day notice (required in the contract), most of them will not be leaving us until at the earliest April. We are going to schedule some time to meet with them, we’re going to give the president of 912 a call tomorrow, because there’s some questions and confusion. The employees just need to understand, so we need to schedule some time for those who might be considering taking advantage,” Personnel employee Vicki Westling said.

Westling also reported on staff vacancies, including a clerical position that is waiting on a final decision, a competitive search for a deputy director of planning and development and a less successful search for a fiscal affairs officer upon Rich Halas’ retirement.

She explained the city charter has very narrow criteria for the fiscal affairs officer position’s qualifications. It is hoped that if the Common Council approves a change in the language to include similar fields in the requirement for a bachelor’s in accounting, the search will be more productive.

Council tabled the resolution for the change at its meeting in order to schedule a public hearing for Feb. 7 at 5:20 p.m.

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