The city will give earned sick time to the families of employees who die, councilors said Tuesday.

The City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday to change city policies and grant to the estates of employees who die the same rights as those who retire. Retiring employees are given a percentage of their earned, unused sick time, for example. Employees who die while working for the city don’t get that benefit.

Councilors also changed personnel policies to give employees a half-day-off benefit this year.

The city closes for 11 recognized holidays, including Christmas. Employees are also granted one half-day holiday, on Christmas Eve. When Christmas falls on a Saturday, like it does this year, the city closes for the preceding Friday. That means the staff loses a half-day holiday.

Councilors agreed Tuesday to let staff make up that missed time off.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston: City ponders planners role

City councilors will meet with the Planning Board in January to discuss the board’s duties, councilors decided Tuesday.

Councilors were considering letting city staff negotiate property purchases, sales and capital spending of less than $100,000 without consulting the Planning Board. Planners voted against those changes at their Nov. 22 meeting.

Councilors were scheduled to vote on the plan Tuesday, but tabled the vote. City Clerk Kathy Montejo said she expected councilors to discuss the matter with the Planning Board at a joint work session in January.

– Scott Taylor