Scio council approves contractor payout, updates employee vacation policy

The company that won the low bid last year for projects on Eastport Road and Elm Street, Silver Bridge Excavating, continues to move forward with council giving its approval at the Aug. 27 meeting for Mayor James Clark to provide the initial payout to the contractor.

No further discussion was needed, but Fiscal Officer Renea Riesen said she had received complaints about the condition of the streets. Village Administrator Jason Tubaugh responded that the village would not invest heavily in repairs now, only to tear the road up again for line work.

“We’re not going to put a ton of money into that road and turn around and tear it back up,” Tubaugh said.

Tubaugh also addressed questions about work on Hilltop Drive.

“It won’t be torn up twice,” he said. “Just so everybody’s clear, the sewer goes on the inside of the loop, which I have to cross cut. That’s why it’s getting paved. The water is on the outside, and everything that goes under is a three-quarter-inch service line that will be bored under the road. We will not tear it up twice.”

Council also approved a buy-back policy within the employee handbook allowing staff to sell back vacation time in lieu of taking leave. Full-time employees are eligible after completing at least one year of continuous service.

Under the limits, non-exempt employees may sell back up to 10 days of unused vacation leave per calendar year but must maintain a balance of at least five days to ensure rest. Exempt employees may sell back up to 30 days per year. Employees may also donate vacation time to co-workers experiencing an extended hardship.

After a lengthy discussion, the measure was approved unanimously.