Council spells out policy for retirement gifts for its staff members

by David Meyer

MAPLETON TWP.

Unlike some municipalities in Wellington County, it is unlikely anyone will claim surprise about long service and retirement gifts for township employees here.

Council approved a policy for employees at its June 26 council meeting. That report was prepared by chief administrative officer Patty Sinnamon.

The purpose of the policy is to recognize full-time and regular part-time employees for their years of service to Mapleton.

Eligibility is determined on Jan. 1 of each year and entitlement will be calculated using the employee’s employment anniversary date. For example, if an employee started work on Aug. 16, 2001, as of Jan. 1 2016, that employee is eligible for recognition of 15 years of service.

Sinnamon’s report noted, “if the employee leaves the employ of the township prior to Aug. 16 of that year, no recognition will be given because the township’s retirement policy will then be implemented.”

The employees will be entitled to a gift certificate from a Mapleton business of their choice based on the following amounts:

- five full years of service, $50;

- ten years, $75;

- 15 years, $100;

- 20 years, $125;

- 25 years, $150;

- 30 years, $175;

- 35 years, $200; and

- 40 years, $225.

The policy states employees who qualify in a given year will receive a letter in January of their recognition year setting out their eligible years of service and value of the gift certificate to which they are entitled. The employees must then provide the CAO with the name of the township business from which they want to receive a gift certificate.

The employees will then be invited to attend a public council meeting to receive their recognition award and certificate from council.

Sinnamon also provided council with a projected budget impact and it showed the cost will be minimal.

In 2012, there is one employee who has completed five years, one finishing 10, one completing 15, and one completing 20 years, for a total cost of $350. In 2013, there are three completing five years, two finishing 10, and two completing 25 years, for a total cost of $600.

In 2014, the total cost is $625; in 2015 the cost is $175; and in 2016, the total cost is $525.

Retirement gifts

Sinnamon said in her report that in 2001, council set out limits for retirement gifts for staff, including volunteer firefighters. She recommended that gift limit be included in the township’s human resources policy.

It includes:

- up to five years of service, $50;

- six to 10 years, $100;

- 11 to 15 years, $200;

- 16 to 20 years, $300; and

- 21 years and over, $400.

The policy Sinnamon suggested for that benefit stated, “Employees eligible for this benefit are entitled to receive a gift of their choice up to the dollar value of the amounts cited above, and the purchase of those gifts were to be coordinated through the retiring employee’s department head.”

Mayor Bruce Whale offered a different option in that last recommendation. He suggested council instead delete “gift of choice” from the policy and replace it with something with the municipal insignia so it has some “lasting significance to the retiree, we hope.”

Councillors Jim Curry and Mike Downey agreed with that suggestion.

Councillor Neil Driscoll cracked up everyone in the council chamber when he suggested that gift could be “a used Mapleton fire truck.”

Council then voted unanimously to approve the policy with Whale’s amendment. Councillor Andy Knetsch was absent.

July 6, 2012