Minutes

Personnel Subcommittee - Minutes - Jan 8, 2026

Jan 8, 2026

A public record published by the Town of Simsbury (simsbury-ct.gov). mySimsbury indexes it and makes it readable; it is not the official copy. View the original file.

Town of Simsbury
933 HOPMEADOW STREET SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT 06070
Personnel Subcommittee of the Board of Selectmen
January 8, 2026
9:00 AM
Main Meeting Room, Simsbury Town Hall
MINUTES
Members Present: Wendy Mackstutis, First Selectman; Steven Antonio, Deputy First
Selectman, Kevin Beal, Selectmen
Staff Present: Marc Nelson, Town Manager; Eric Gomes, Human Resources Director; Crystal
Lusso, HR Generalist; Tom Tyburski, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM
Ms. Mackstutis made a motion to move Agenda Item #2 to Agenda Item #5 and move Agenda
Item #5 to Agenda Item #2. Mr. Beal seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion
passed.
1) Approval of December 11, 2025 Minutes
Mr. Beal made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Mackstutis seconded the
motion, all were in favor and the motion passed.
2) Update on Vacant Positions
Ms. Lusso provided an update on current vacant positions in the town. In reference to the Animal
Control Officer position, Ms. Mackstutis asked about the possibility of introducing this role as a
shared service with other towns. Mr. Nelson explained that due to the nature of the role, it is
difficult to staff that role as a shared service.
3) Job Description Re-Write Planning
Mr. Gomes explained how the HR department plans to roll-out the job description rewrites as
there are about 124 job descriptions that need updating. The plan is to begin working with
departments individually and move through departments on a monthly basis. The entire rewrite
process includes input from the departments, unions and the personnel subcommittee. Mr.
Gomes asked the subcommittee members on their perspective regarding what their capacity for
and subsequent involvement in rewriting job descriptions is.
Mr. Gomes also explained that the job description rewrites are necessary as the new job
descriptions will be used when implementing the new performance management software.
Town of Simsbury
933 HOPMEADOW STREET SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT 06070
Ms. Mackstutis asked Mr. Gomes for a project timeline regarding performance management
implementation. Mr. Gomes explained that the implementation takes about 6 weeks and that the
goal for having the program running at its full capacity is July 2027.
Mr. Beal asked Mr. Gomes how many of the job description changes are substantive changes
versus minimal changes. Mr. Gomes explained that a majority of the job descriptions are
outdated and need substantive changes. Mr. Nelson introduced the idea of only bringing the
subcommittee those job descriptions that have thematic or more policy-based changes for
review.
Mr. Beal asked if there are any concerns regarding the unions’ timeline for approving the job
descriptions. Mr. Gomes explained that union is expecting these changes and is looking forward
to them.
Ms. Mackstutis asked if a spreadsheet or document that showed the old job descriptions versus
the updated versions to see the changes quickly could be created. Mr. Gomes explained that the
plan is to color code the changes as non-impactful versus substantive changes that could impact
things like grade classification, wages, etc.
Mr. Antonio asked that the HR departments gives this subcommittee the “homework” and that
they would like all versions and time to review all changes. Ms. Mackstutis agreed that this
subcommittee should be the intermediary and ask the necessary questions. Her concern being
budgetary impact like salary and grade reclassification. The members of the sub-committee
asked that the job descriptions be brought to the meetings to work through them.
4) Proposed Revisions to Mechanic II-Parks and Golf Job Description
Mr. Gomes presented the subcommittee with the classification changes present in the AFSCME
contract. He explained that that recent contract has given the Mechanic position a promotional
opportunity. Currently, four departments have some level of mechanic in their departments. Mr.
Gomes further explained that changes to the mechanic job descriptions for those in Public Works
and WPC will be coming at the next personnel sub. Mr. Gomes mentioned that the current Parks
departments mechanics are place for promotion which include a grade and step change. Mr.
Antonio asked for the scope of changes. Mr. Gomes presented the sub-committee with the
revision to the job descriptions. Mr. Gomes also explained that this situation is unique because it
is the only situation where a new classification was created. Most positions fall in line and it is
not an overall change. Nelson explained that there will be no further retro requests.
Ms. Mackstutis asked how this change is different from the recent reclassification of the Deputy
Assessor role. Mr. Gomes explained that this change is a one-off because we are creating a new
grade and need to manage that change. Mr. Gomes also explained that reclassification requests
have previously come through for these positions but what we are addressing is that they deserve
Town of Simsbury
933 HOPMEADOW STREET SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT 06070
a promotion based on their qualifications, not a reclassification. Mr. Gomes also mentioned that
the proposed ranges fall at market rate.
Mr. Beal and Ms. Mackstutis asked what the effective date of the adjustment would be. Mr.
Gomes mentioned that that date will be tied to approval and that the perspective of the union
would be 7/1/25. Mr. Nelson mentioned that he would budget for these changes, appropriately.
Mr. Tyburski explained the importance of these roles and how vital they are to the operation of
the department. He also mentioned that if these roles become open at some point, there is
potential to hire highly qualified applicants and also offer promotional opportunities to the Parks,
Recreation and Golf course divisions.
Mr. Beal proposed updates to the language in both job descriptions and those changes were as
follows:
a) Parks Mechanic II
a. “Makes and implements decisions regarding repair options independently”
b) Golf Course Mechanic II
a. “Independently plans and organizes work procedures using repair manuals,
charts and experience”
Mr. Beal also emphasized that all job descriptions include any required certifications.
Mr. Beal made a motion to advance the proposed job descriptions to the full Board of Selectman.
Mr. Antonio seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
5) Executive Session
Pursuant to C.G.S. §1-200(6)(A): For the Purpose of Discussing a Personnel Matter
Ms. Mackstutis made a motion to move into executive session at 10:20 am. Mr. Antonio
seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Present at the Executive Session: Ms. Mackstutis, Mr. Antonio, Mr. Beal, Mr. Nelson, Mr.
Gomes, and Ms. Lusso.
Ms. Mackstutis made a motion to move out of Executive Session at 10:35 am. Mr. Beal
seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Mackstutis made a motion to advance the proposed amendment to the 401(a) plan to the full
Board of Selectmen. Mr. Beal seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourn
Town of Simsbury
933 HOPMEADOW STREET SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT 06070
Mr. Antonio made a motion to adjourn at 10:36 am and Mr. Beal seconded the motion. All were
in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Crystal Lusso
Human Resources Generalist