Essex County Residency Committee will start scofflaw probe

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January 22, 2012

LOHR McKINSTRY Press-Republican The Press Republican Sun Jan 22, 2012, 02:28 AM EST

ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County's new ad hoc committee is about to get started on its goal of ensuring that county employees live in the county.

County Board of Supervisors Chair Randy Douglas (D-Jay) named eight people to the Residency Committee, which will hold its first meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Old County Courthouse at Elizabethtown.

Chairing the subcommittee will be Supervisor Gerald Morrow (D-Chesterfield), and the other members are: Supervisors Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand), William Ferebee (R-Keene), Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) and George Canon (R-Newcomb); County Attorney Daniel Manning III; County Manager Daniel Palmer; and County Personnel Officer Monica Feeley.

DRAFT LAW

The issue of residency for county workers became critical at budget time late last year, with layoffs looming, when a number of lawmakers said non-resident workers should be let go first.

The county ultimately laid off 10 people to reduce the tax hike in the new budget but didn't use residency as a factor.

Manning said recently that he's working on a stronger residency law for county employees that will be submitted to the board for a vote. He said he would be sending supervisors a memorandum on the proposed law.

"It basically addresses the legal analysis. It's a complicated legal area, and there are some terms you should know about."

ONE-YEAR DEADLINE

Manning said the existing residency regulation is legally vague, so the county is better off starting from scratch.

Workers without written waivers will have one year from the date of the new law's passage to move to the county or their employment will be subject to termination.

The law will define disciplinary procedures, handling of scofflaws and so on, Manning said.

"All that is detailed in this confidential memorandum."

He said the memorandum on the draft law is attorney-client information and won't be publicly released.

DETAILS

The committee must determine the responsibility of the employee and his or her department head, how permanent residency will be verified and to whom, and what to do with employees who currently reside outside Essex County.

Douglas said the Residency Committee must also determine stronger wording on mandatory residency, with help from Manning, to be inserted into the county policy manual.

"I would ask that the committee review all material provided by Dan Manning and Monica very carefully regarding past waivers and resolutions, as well as determine if and when an employee violated the current residency policy. The committee may have to determine each violation separately or treat them all the same."

REPORT DUE FEB. 15

Douglas said he expects a preliminary report from the committee in a month.

"I sincerely appreciate the job this committee is about to begin. I would ask that the committee have a report and recommendation back to the full Board of Supervisors by Feb. 15."

The board previously identified about 10 workers who reside outside the county.

Email Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com