Town council has approved a new long-service program to recognize full-time and permanent part-time employees and it is investigating the possibility of an annual appreciation night for staff, councillors and volunteers.
At the request of council, on Aug. 16 town manager Lisa Hass presented a draft program to council that recognizes staff for every five years of service, starting with 10 and going up to 40.
Those being recognized will be able to pick a gift – valued between $100 to $400, depending on the length of service – out of a selected catalogue from a jewelry store.
Councillors liked the staff recognition program presented by Hass, which was formed after consulting other municipalities within Wellington County.
But they did not agree with a council recognition program that called for giving a plaque to each councillor at their last meeting, as well as a watch “in the $175 to $200 range” to any retiring mayor.
“I don’t think we need a council recognition program,” councillor Barb Tocher said.
She added council has a photo taken with staff at the end of every term, a copy of which is enough of a gift for councillors.
Councillors John Brennan agreed, as did councillor Josie Wintersinger, who noted plaques “get old.”
Mayor Lou Maieron said, “I don’t need a watch” and an eight by 10 photo is fine with him. However, he did like the idea of giving something to councillors, even if it is just a pin.
“It’s our community and I think you build a community by showing appreciation for stuff,” the mayor said.
When Maieron pushed the idea of awarding pins, Tocher replied no one wears them. Councillor Deb Callaghan agreed, saying it was sufficient to award the monetary gift for staff and the photo for councillors.
Councillors unanimously passed a resolution approving the staff recognition program presented by Hass.
They also directed staff to look into the possibility of hosting an appreciation night – similar to those held in Puslinch Township – for volunteers, staff and council.
