SOUTHWICK – The annual town employee and volunteer holiday celebration is being changed a bit this year.
Traditionally, a luncheon for town employees and committee members has been held the week of Christmas during work hours in addition to a donut and coffee hour for volunteers.
This week, the Board of Selectmen agreed to change the start time, among other things.
“I’d like to see the time switched to 4:30 so it doesn’t interfere with the work day,” said Selectman Joseph Deedy. “I’d also like to see two vendors or go to bid [for food].”
The changes stemmed from a letter to the board written by employee Victoria Hickey. Hickey was present at the Nov. 25 board meeting and discussed her thoughts with selectmen.
Hickey asked the board to consider changing the time and changing the vendor.
“There are a number of restaurants in town we could give our business to,” said Hickey. “We’ve used the same vendor for years. We’re not complaining, just asking to change it up.”
Hickey surveyed employees on their thoughts and presented them to the board via the letter. One of the main concerns was the time.
“We have it here and there’s a lot of work for the maintenance dept. in addition to what they’re doing in the building,” Hickey said, adding that employees often “don’t attend the party because they have to man the offices and its not enjoyable.”
Hickey said a 4:30 p.m. start would allow employees to assist the maintenance department in setting up the party.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan asked Hickey why the lunch during work hours was a concern, but the donut appreciation hour was not. Hickey said it was easier to grab a donut and bring it back to a desk than lunch.
“You can’t really enjoy that plate of food if you’re rushing and at that time it’s holiday time and people have things to do on their lunch hour,” said Hickey.
Cesan said according to the accounting department, the events cost between $1,500-$1,700 to run the coffee and donut appreciation and thank you lunch.
“Vicki makes a good point that if people don’t appreciate it and find it an inconvenience, coupled with the fact that we’re raising taxes and this is a lot of money for people that don’t seem to want to attend,” said Cesan, “my personal opinion is we should cancel it all together. If they want to do the donuts and coffee for more like $300 or $400 for the volunteers and people that run the commissions to say thank you, and these guys want to come in and grab a free cup of coffee, use their lunch hour the way they perceive and save the taxpayer’s a lot of money.”
Cesan said in the past, taxes were lower and there were more funds for the event.
“Times are tough now and I don’t think we should be issuing $1,500, $1,600 for an event, especially in light of people coming forward and saying they don’t want it anymore,” said Cesan.
This week, Hickey addressed Cesan’s Nov. 25 comments and pointed out that her letter to the board begins with an overall sentiment of appreciation for the events, and said at no time did she say the employees did not want to have a celebration.
After a brief heated exchange between Hickey and Cesan, Fox asked Deedy to serve as a liaison for the holiday celebrations, which will continue again this year.
