Council holds off changing policy for embattled manager

Vernon — Vacation days became a sore subject at last Thursday’s Vernon Town Council meeting, as a resolution was introduced that would allow the township manager to carry over 12 vacation days into 2010. “If you’re going to amend the policy for Melinda Carlton, could you please add an amendment that would allow other employees to keep their time?” asked Josephine Prisco, the former town tax collector. Prisco claims that other employees have asked Carlton to have their vacation time extended and have been rejected, so to grant this to Carlton herself would be unfair. It’s also a bad example, according to resident Tom McClacharie, who represents the Vernon Taxpayers association. If other employees don’t have this same ability to carry over time, neither should the manager. “You’re supposed to lead by example, and that’s the bottom line,” he said. “Part of the problem is that this is for the manager,” said resident Gary Martinson. “You didn’t do this for everyone.” Martinson called the action favoritism, saying that as a businessperson himself, he’s inclined to take such missed vacation days as a loss, as a part of doing business. “If you didn’t use them, too bad. It’s your hard luck.” When the resolution came up for vote, Councilman Rich Carson recused himself. In the end, the council opted to push the matter into the new year, tabling the resolution until the Jan. 14 council meeting without any additional comments. Carlton’s performance as township manager has drawn the ire of Vernon residents recently, as the Taxpayers group called for her resignation, listing two dozen grievances. She’s been on the job since November 2007.