Charter Revision Question #4

This is the fourth in my seven part series detailing the Charter Revision Questions that will be on the Waterbury ballot on Tuesday. This post will focus on Question #4.

QUESTION 4:

Shall the Charter be revised to require a five-point preference for City residents on all civil service examinations?

Under this revision, the five-point residential preference given on entry-level civil service examinations would be extended to all civil service examinations.

The idea of changing the way residency points are awarded was actually supported by two members of the Board of Aldermen. Alderwoman Anne Phelan came to the Charter Revision Commission with a proposal to extend the 5 point bonus that is currently given to residents on entry-level exams only, to all “open exams”.

An “open exam” is any exam that is being taken by people not already employed by the city seeking to move up within a department.

Within the City of Waterbury there are a number of City jobs that are listed with both a title and a number. Examples include “Maintainer 1” and “Maintainer 2”. In this system the Maintainer 1 is considered an entry level position, the Maintainer 2 is not. Therefore, someone who does not currently work for the city would get 5 bonus points on the Maintainer 1 exam, but not on the Maintainer 2 exam. Also, someone who worked for the city as a Maintainer 1 would not get any bonus points if they took the test required to be promoted to Maintainer 2.

Alderwoman Phelan’s proposal would equalize the disparity between the two candidates not yet working for the city by given both candidates the five extra points.

The second member of the Board of Aldermen to support this idea was Alderman DePillo.

Alderman DePillo’s idea, however, went further then Alderwoman Phelan’s. Alderman DePillo would have increased the number of bonus points from five to ten, and included promotional exams in addition to the open exams. In this situation, all three candidates mentioned would receive ten bonus points.

After our deliberations, the Charter Revision Commission decided to split the difference between the two proposals, and give five points on all exams.

If you have been keeping an eye on the Republican-American, you have seen letters both in support and in opposition to this particular issue. Fortunately the concept is fairly straightforward. However, you choose to vote, I encourage everyone to vote on every question.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.