Fremont workers get overtime - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

23 August 2007 — Town employees may now be able to actually use the vacation and compensatory time they have been building up, after the town board adopted a revised personnel policy.

For several months, the town board has been working with town workers who said there weren’t any clear guidelines about employees working after hours. They also wanted more flexibility in when they were allowed to take compensatory time earned during after-hours work.

Employees will now earn compensatory time if they are called in for emergency work after hours. In addition, it is strongly encouraged that the employees use compensatory time within 45 days of earning it. If employees cannot arrange to use their vacation time by the end of the fiscal year, they will be paid for the overtime. Also, employees will also be guaranteed a minimum payment of two hours’ wages for being called in after normal working hours.

The board was presented with the amended policy last month. Alderman Leon Mooring said he felt the policy looked good, and moved that the board adopt the policy. The board unanimously approved adoption.

The board also approved a rezoning on Sycamore Street. The owner of a lot at 304 Sycamore Street had asked for the lot to be rezoned because he wanted to put a mobile home on the land. The land was zoned as an R10 lot, which does not allow mobile homes. He asked that it be rezoned to an R6, which does.

Town Manager Kerry McDuffie said that the lot was adjacent to an R6 zone, which would not make the change spot zoning. Spot zoning specific lots is illegal.

After holding a public hearing, in which no citizens commented, the board unanimously approved the rezoning.

Mr. McDuffie said the planning board would also like to examine setting a limit on the age of mobile homes that will replace older mobile homes on a lot.

Currently, there is no law or ordinance that governs how old a mobile home can be if it will replace a dilapidated mobile home, except that it must meet inspection standards set in 1976.

The board agreed to examine the issue in the coming month and call a planning board meeting.

Mr. McDuffie also brought up a request from town workers that the town cover the cost of renewing commercial drivers licenses.

Currently, the town pays for the initial class and fee for receiving a CDL, which is required to operate three town vehicles, including the garbage truck. Seven town workers are required to have CDLs.

Mr. McDuffie said that the cost of renewing a CDL is $11 more per year than a standard driver’s license. He said that the towns of Pikeville and Black Creek pay for all of their employees to renew their CDL, but the towns of Kenly and Stantonsburg do not.

Alderman Mooring asked if having a CDL was a requirement for being hired to the town positions. Mr. McDuffie said they aren’t a requirement for being hired, but having the license is required to fulfill job requirements.

The board opted to table the decision until next month’s meeting.

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