Safety a priority for Rochelle workers

BY BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@gaflnews.com



ROCHELLE — City officials here approved measures to increase the safety of employees on the city payroll during Wednesday night’s meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem James Rhodes announced that the city has saved over $3,000 on its Workers’ Compensation insurance. This is credited to the fact that workers are apparently handling their jobs in a safe manner to avoid accident or injury. As a result, no claims have been filed.

In an effort to maintain that pattern, Rhodes will be meeting periodically with workers to review the safety manual provided by the insurance company.

One of the safety issues brought before the council was the shoes worn by employees. Councilman Herbert Greene Jr. said that the workers really should be wearing steel-toed boots due to the weight of some of the things they are required to lift. He also said that they should be wearing leather gloves to protect their hands.

Council unanimously agreed that the city would purchase one pair of boots per year for each employee and one pair of gloves each quarter.

Council is also entertaining the idea of having uniforms for each employee so they can be more distinguishable. If uniforms are approved they will be required dress for each employee, not optional.

Because the city is getting more and more behind in grass cutting, council is looking in to the possibility of hiring a man previously named to handle the work on a part time basis so they can get through the last two months of the season.

Councilman Leroy Dantley brought up the process of hiring an individual for the position. He is concerned, he said, that problems will arise if the council does not first advertise for the position.

Board members agreed that some questions could arise, but they will be seeking advice of the city attorney concerning the hiring of a person on a temporary basis until the season is over and then advertising at the beginning of the next season.

The need for someone to come in to take care of some of the grass cutting arose because there are not enough community service workers to keep up with the work.

If the temporary position is approved, council has already approved the purchase a new mower for the worker. The mower will be used only by the employee who will be responsible for checking and maintaining the mower and overseeing repairs.

Council members agreed that they have the biggest problem at the cemeteries. The community service crew has been doing most of the maintenance of the cemetery property. Once private individuals purchase lots, however, the responsibility of their upkeep belongs to the purchaser.

Recently a new area has been donated to the cemetery by John McDonald. Initially the ground was not level and the city had dirt hauled in to level the area out. Now the land needs to be surveyed. The council is considering the size of the plots being 20’ x 20’. This will provide room for eight people to be laid to rest and there will likely be a one plot per family limit.

In other business, Council approved:

• A speed limit change to 30 mph from red light to red light.

• A motion to donate $100 per month to the “Save our Children” program.

• The appointment of Michael Thomas to the Police Department on a six month probationary basis.

• The purchase of a service revolver for Thomas. They will make payroll deductions on Thomas until such time as the revolver is paid for in full.

If by some circumstance Thomas leaves the department before such time, ownership of the revolver would then revert to the city.

The next meeting of the Rochelle City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 at City Hall in Rochelle.

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