CLEARFIELD – On Thursday night Clearfield Borough Council approved one of three employee contracts.
The topic was raised during last week’s work session. Clearfield Borough Police Chief Jeff Rhone asked for overtime compensation due to having to fill empty shifts or getting called out. There were questions as to what kind of compensation the chief was due. It was brought up that Rhone, Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack and Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott were working without contracts.
“I think it’s time we have a working contract for our staff,” said Wisor on Thursday night.
Council was provided with a proposed contract for the chief of police. Wisor said he wanted to hear Mayor Patty Gilliland’s input on the contract. Wisor commented that there things in the contract that she would not agree with.
Gilliland was not present at the meeting. Stott said that Gilliland had been provided with a copy of the contract.
According to one sections of the contract, the chief has the power to schedule the police officers.
“We have the right to designate the duties of the chief,” said Wisor. He said the mayor’s duty is to make sure the police and chief carry out their duties in a proper manor.
Council member John Naddeo questioned the legality of the section of the contract.
Naddeo said that he was comfortable with it as long as council was not getting into a litigation issue.
According to the Borough Code, the mayor has the power to direct the police chief and the police force. It states that, “where council has designated the duties of each rank, the authority of the mayor extends only to how the officer is to perform the council-prescribed duties.”
All members of council present voted to approve the chief’s contract, save for Kathy Catherman. Catherman said after voting “no” that she did not have enough time to review the whole contract.
Stott and Mack said they will have their proposed contracts ready for council’s next meeting.
