March 7, 2001 - Claims Committee Meeting

Mr. Noury  asked that if the Mayor is going to address the Council in any upcoming meetings that  it be listed on the agenda.

Mayor Lee M. Matthews was present and was asked by the Chairman if he would give the  Council any information he had on this claim presented.

Mayor Matthews passed out paperwork to the City Council and stated that an  agreement was  made between him and Mr. Harraka when the new administration would come in. Mr. Harraka  had agreed he would be paid for 10 vacation days.

Mayor Matthews presented the Council with a letter from Rose Bennett, Personnel Director which listed all employees and the number of days that were approved for vacation pay.

The agreement was for two weeks of pay. That was the settlement. 

The Mayor presented a copy of the settlement check. The Mayor stated that Mr. Harraka does not have any time coming to him. He also offered to have Mr. Shannahan to be present to confirm the vacation policy he presented, and that was also offered to Mr. Shannahan.

Mayor Matthews stated that, if the Board sees that all the information presented was for naught, he wanted to leave the Council with this final thought.

Mr.  Harraka is seeking 5 weeks vacation pay, by his own memo, based on the fact we have already paid him for only two, he only has 4 coming to him, not 5.

Councilman  Noury stated, that nothing that Mayor Matthews presented shows an agreement between you and Mr. Harraka .

Mayor Matthew replied, yes it does. You must understand that these are department heads of the City of Central Falls, I trust them.  I don=t need to put down in writing every word of mine, we had an agreement, what other reason would we have to write a non payable check to Mr. Harraka  for two week salary.

Mr. Noury stated that it was a verbal agreement, unfortunately there is nothing in writing and Mr. Harraka who testified before us disagrees with that. I am looking at the evidence and I don=t see anything convincing.

Mayor Matthews replied you don=t have to believe in me.

More conversation ensued about the agreement made between Mayor Matthews and Mr. Harraka.

Councilman Lazieh spoke of vacation policy during his administration.

Councilwoman Canavan stated that Mr. Harraka should have been notified in writing of the change in vacation time, at the change of administration.

Councilman Leger stated that because there was no evidence that was presented in writing, most vacation pay that should be awarded would be 4 weeks at the most.

Councilman  Noury stated that any vacation pay owed from the past was due to the employee.

Councilman Noury moved to amend the decision given in the claim of Anthony Harraka from 5 weeks vacation pay to 4 weeks and Mr. Harraka should be notified by the clerk=s office, and if he can provide extra documentation to the contrary then he should appear again before the claims committee. Seconded by Councilwoman Canavan

Roll Call:

Vote carries: 3-2