Special Town Council Meeting on March 30 to Hear DPW Workers

There will be a special meeting of the Town Council on Monday, March 30, at 6:30 p.m. to hear the concerns of DPW workers about low wages, high turnover, and unsafe working conditions.  Workers had been denied the opportunity to address the council at a meeting on March 2, which was scheduled for that purpose. The meeting will be held both in the Town Room of Town Hall and over Zoom. Join the zoom meeting with this link: : https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/87225177566. Phone: (646) 876-9923; enter webinar ID 872 2517 7566

This special meeting was called at the request of town councilors Ellisha Walker (at large), Amber Cano-Martin (District 2), Jill Brevik (District 1), and Jennifer Taub (District 4). Cano-Martin, speaking to a DPW rally on March 19, invited both DPW workers and town residents to attend and offer public comment.

The union reported on March 19, that they are close to a contract agreement with the town.

Background
DPW workers held a rally on March 2 demanding that the town return to the bargaining table following months in which the Town Manager refused to engage with them and after working for eight months without a contact The union had attempted to schedule a meeting with the town council following that rally but President Mandi Jo Hanneke scheduled the meeting exclusively as an executive session, denying workers the opportunity to formally share their concerns with the council. However, members of the council voted not to go into executive session. Hanneke then denied requests from councilors to allow the workers an opportunity to make public comment, arguing that because public comment had not been on the agenda, it would be a violation of Open Meeting Law. The meeting then adjourned without conducting any business. Following the meeting, nine councilors and the Town Manager remained in the room and listened as DPW workers spontaneously began to voice their grievances.

Agenda for the Special Meeting

The agenda for the meeting followsCall to Order

1. Special Public Comment Period to hear from Department of Public Works Employees about the plethora of concerning issues they are facing – DPW employees are welcome to express their views for up to 3 minutes, at the discretion of the Town Council President, based upon the number of people who wish to speak. If there are more than 10 people wishing to speak, the public comment will be 2 minutes for each speaker. The Council will not engage in dialogue or comment on a matter raised during General Public Comment. Public comments are not reflective of the opinions of the Town Council
   
2. General Public Comment – Residents are welcome to express their views for up to 3 minutes, at the discretion of the Town Council President, based upon the number of people who wish to speak. If there are more than 10 people wishing to speak, the public comment will be 2 minutes for each speaker. The Council will not engage in dialogue or comment on a matter raised during General Public Comment. Public comments are not reflective of the opinions of the Town Council
   
3. Presentation and Discussion
   1. To explore possible solutions that are within the purview of the Council to enact
      
4. Committee Reports
   1. DPW Building Committee
      
5. Executive Session
   1. In accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body (Unions: DPW Association and DPW-S)
      
6. Topics not anticipated by the President 48 hours in advance of the meeting
   
7. Adjourn