The purpose of the Personnel Bylaw is to establish fair and
equitable personnel policies and to establish a system of personnel
administration based on merit principles that ensure uniform, fair
and efficient application of personnel policies. This bylaw is adopted
pursuant to MGL c. 41, §§ 108A and 108C.
All Town departments and positions shall be subject to the provisions
of this bylaw and policies adopted pursuant to this bylaw, except
elected Town officers, employees of the School Committee and employees
covered by a collective bargaining agreement (unless such agreement
expressly incorporates this bylaw by reference). All persons covered
hereby shall receive the rate of pay and be subject to the provisions
set forth in the personnel system established pursuant to this bylaw
as determined to be applicable to them by the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen shall be responsible for the development
of a human resources system which meets the needs of the Town. The
Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Personnel Director to assist in
carrying out its responsibility.
The Personnel Director shall conduct such research and carry
out such instructions as the Board of Selectmen shall direct, including,
but not limited to, review of performance appraisals, compensation
for employees, recommendation to Annual Town Meeting of additional
work hours and all salary/wage increases, benefits, methods of selection
of personnel, performance appraisal and personnel procedures..
The personnel policies shall establish a personnel system which
shall include, but need not be limited to, the following elements:
A. Method of administration. A system which assigns responsibility for
the personnel system, including maintaining personnel records, implementing
effective recruitment and selection processes, creating and maintaining
a compensation plan, monitoring the application of policies and periodic
reviews and evaluation of the personnel system.
B. Classification and compensation plans, as deemed appropriate.
C. Recruitment and selection policies.
E. Rights and obligation of employees.
F. Other elements of a personnel system as deemed appropriate or necessary.
The Board of Selectmen is empowered and authorized by this bylaw
to adopt personnel policies defining the rights, benefits and obligations
of employees subject to this bylaw. Such policies shall become effective
in accordance with the following procedure:
A. The Board of Selectmen may propose new, amended or revised policies;
any such proposed policy may be proposed at any meeting of the Board
of Selectmen. Any employee may suggest policies for consideration
by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen need not consider
any proposal already considered in the preceding 24 months.
B. Any proposed new, amended or revised policies shall be posted for
a period of at least 10 days after being proposed, during which time
comments, information and questions regarding any proposed policy
may be provided to the Board of Selectmen. A public hearing shall
be held following the ten-day posting period.
C. Any new, amended or revised policies shall become effective upon
approval by a majority vote of the Board of Selectmen, unless a specific
effective date is provided.
D. Copies of new or amended policies shall be posted in prominent locations
within the Town Hall.
The provisions of this bylaw and the policies adopted pursuant
to this bylaw are severable. If any bylaw provision or policy is held
invalid, the remaining provisions of the bylaw or policy shall not
be affected thereby.
This bylaw shall take effect on April 24, 2000, with an amended
date of April 27, 2020, or as approved by the Attorney General.