The Mancos Town Board gave the go-ahead Wednesday night for the town administrator to hire a water/wastewater plant operator.
Currently, Public Works Director Robin Schmittel is operating all the facilities and is working seven days a week, said Town Administrator Andrea Phillips.
"If Robin were to be out, we would be in violation," Phillips said.
In the past, the town has relied on contractors to cover the treatment plant so Schmittel wouldn't have to work seven days a week.
Phillips told board members they could create a position for an operator, get a different contractor or do nothing.
The board opted for the new position.
"There are a number of operators in our area. We would just have to advertise it and see what happens," Schmittel said. "Our plant up on the hill is easy to operate, and it does a good job."
Division over grievance procedure
Board members also discussed a grievance procedure Wednesday night and the possibility of changing it.
The board seemed divided on whether town employees can go to board members or the mayor with a problem with a decision.
Town Attorney David Lieberman cautioned the board that it's usually best to stay out of administrative issues.
"It undercuts the authority of the town manager," Lieberman said.
Town Trustee William Stone said the intent was to give employees a voice.
Town Trustee Matthew Baskin agreed that changing the grievance policy would spell trouble.
"It could undermine the intentions of a government," Baskin said.
"I think the temptation is the board to get involved in staff issues. Our job is to set policy," Mayor Rachael Simbeck said.
Queenie Barz felt changing the policy was needed, and noted that the grievance procedure was being brought up because of issues in the past, not because of current staff.
"They need somewhere to go," she said.
Lieberman said he would take time to look at the policy and bring it back to the board.
Other business
The new water tank has been delivered. It is in pieces and will be welded together soon, Phillips told the board.
Board members voted in favor of renewing the Columbine's liquor license. There were no objections to the renewal.
