Salem city councilman critical of deputy clerk's work arrangment

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

SALEM ? New City Clerk Brenda Carver was sworn into office Tuesday night, but the Salem City Council spent more time discussing the position of former City Clerk Carolyn Bolin.

Carver, the former deputy clerk, and Bolin switched positions and pay checks at the beginning of the year. Bolin stated at the December 2011 council, ?I have been wanting to back out of here for some time,? and suggested she and Carver trade positions at the beginning of the year. ?We are going to have a new mayor and I think now would be a good time to change. I would be willing to help (Carver) for a year.?

Bolin explained that her services would be needed because Carver has not done any of the state reports or the budget.

The council, during the December meeting, approved the switch and set Carver?s pay at $660 and Bolin?s at $550.

Since December, a new mayor and two new council members have taken office in Salem city government and one of those new council members, Bruce Eltrich, is not happy with the arrangement.

?Why are we paying a deputy (clerk) when she is out of town for a couple of months?? Eltrich asked. ?We are paying $550 for somebody who isn?t even here?I don?t think that is being fiscally responsible.?

Councilman Charles Kramer, one of the holdover council members, said Bolin?s new role is largely consulting. ?I don?t want to throw her (Bolin) under the bus. I would leave her (in office) until the end of the fiscal year.?

Eltrich answered that he is not suggesting terminating Bolin, adding that is she is being paid, she should be working or in the community. ?I am not saying to dump her,? Eltrich stated. ?I am just saying she should be here if she is being paid. I never even saw a request from her for the time off. Somebody is being paid and is not here.?

City Attorney Dave McCoid advised the council to proceed cautiously. ?I am not sure you want to change it because you might have a contract (with Bolin) and there could be an issue. It says in the (December 2011 city council) minutes that she will be paid $550 a month with no set hours. It doesn?t say she has to be in the city.?

Kramer agreed that ?it is not a good situation but we did approve it.?

?Before you change it, you better communicate with her and see what can be worked out to the satisfaction of her and the council. I would not cut her off tonight,? advised McCoid.

Paying an employee while the employee isn?t even in the state is not being a good watchdog of tax dollars, Eltrich contended. ?I never got paid for a job when I wasn?t there. I see that as a lot of money to be paid when she is not here or even in the state for that matter. I am not looking to can someone but we are shelling out taxpayers? money for something and I have the right to question it.

?I think it is utterly ridiculous to hire someone with no set hours?I think we should put it (decision) off and talk to her and see what we will do with it,? Eltrich concluded.

The council tabled action on the matter until the March meeting.

Council members learned that it could cost up to $18,000 to repair one of the city?s two wells. The well to be repaired is the backup well. Mineral desposits have built up and won?t allow water to be brought up.

The city received the quote from Northway Pump and Well Repair but tabled action on proceeding with the quote.

In another ongoing matter, the council voted to file a municipal infraction against a property owner. The property owner built a fence in his yard which is disrupting the natural drainage pattern and causing a neighbor?s backyard to flood during heavy rain. The council has been debating action on this matter for nearly a year.

Council members approved an application for a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for a gas generator. The application is for approximately $13,500 in grant funds. The generator would cost around $22,500.

Finally, the council briefly discussed animal control compliance and concluded it is the responsibility of the Henry County Sheriff?s Office to serve as the animal control officer for the city. The city contracts with the county for law enforcement.

Salem council members meet again Tuesday, March 6, at 7 p.m. in the Community Center.