In Three-Year Pact—

Emergency Dispatchers Raises Approach 11 Percent

By John Voket

The Board of Selectmen this week voted to accept a new three-year contract with Emergency Telecommunications and Clerical workers that will deliver raises totaling 10.75 percent through 2009. The department’s staff of one part-time dispatcher, nine full-time telecommunications dispatchers, and a full-time supervisor/dispatcher provide the first line contact points anytime someone dials 911 for emergency services in Newtown including fire, ambulance, and police services.

The contract also includes clerical staff who serve the police records division, but does not include the salary and benefits package of Joseph DelBuono, the director of Emergency Communications, which is negotiated separately.

His salary is currently $55,360.

According to Mr DelBuono, the complement of dispatch and clerical staff is up to capacity after a period marked by steep overtime use.

“We hired four new full-timers in 2006,” Mr DelBuono told The Bee this week. “Our overtime is under control.”

He said the latest new hire has been on board since April and at this point, everyone in the department is fully trained and operating. A new position of supervisor that was added last year provides administrative and training back up for Mr DelBuono, and continues to handle front line dispatching duties as a regular part of his duties.

“The supervisor handles administrative work for three eight-hour days, and has one 12-hour day on dispatch every week,” Mr DelBuono said. The remaining full-time dispatchers work three 12-hour shifts on, followed by four days off to meet their stipulated 36-hour work week criteria, he said.

A cost analysis provided by town Financial Director Ben Spragg outlined the three-year agreement that provides a 3.75 percent base increase in the current year, followed by two years with 3.5 percent increases each year. The records manager will receive a $1,000 per year flat increase each year for the three years, and the office assistant receives a 50-cent per-hour adjustment in year one of the contract.

While longevity payments are eliminated for newly hired employees, dispatchers can qualify for additional stipends between $375 and $750, which are tied to aspects of accreditation.

Employee contributions to the health plan, which were $34 per pay period, are now $34.50 for single coverage in year one, stepping up to $36.50 in year two and $38.50 in year three. The family per-period contribution towards health plan participation steps from $41.50 to $45.50 over the three years.

Coverage for just the employee and spouse steps from $37.50 to $41.50. Prescription co-pays increased from $3 to $9 for mail order, $5 to $15 for generic, and $10 to $20 for brand name drugs.

In the first two years, the employee cost sharing is increased an additional five dollars per year for home and office visits and the hospital/urgent care co-pay increased from $25 to $50 per incident. Employees declining health insurance receive a $1,000 bonus; however, the opportunity for participation can be reopened if the state health insurance plan becomes available.

Sick leave banks have been eliminated in the current contract, and a new stipulation requiring uniforms has been implemented.