New London to advertise position

By Scott Bellile

New London’s city clerk opening will be advertised after the Fourth of July, as the city council approved a job description and starting salary range on June 13.

A new clerk should be hired by the end of September so outgoing clerk Susan Tennie has six to eight months to train them, Finance Director Judy Radke told the New London Finance and Personnel Committee on June 7. The city will employ both individuals until Tennie retires in April 2018.

Her replacement’s starting salary will range from $45,000 to $55,000 a year, depending on certifications and years of experience.

“I think this is a fair salary,” City Administrator Kent Hager told the finance committee. “You know, I would hope that it’s attractive enough that [it interests] someone that’s, no offense to older folks, but younger and ready to move into a larger community, has the certifications and the experience running elections, and actually is familiar with operating a clerk position. I hope we’re going to have some of those applicants.”

The city council only approved a starting salary range. Hager told the finance committee he predicts the end salary range will land between $60,000 and $65,000 a year. New London is conducting a salary analysis of all city employees that will ultimately help determine the high end of the clerk’s salary range.

Serving New London for three decades, Tennie currently earns $65,800 annually, according to a 2016 wage survey of Wisconsin city clerks.

Tennie and some other city employees are “somewhat nontraditional” in that they perform many duties that their counterparts in another community might not, Hager told the finance committee. This could make finding a strong replacement a challenge if they are expected to wear all of Tennie’s hats.

As outlined in the job description, the city clerk’s many duties include providing customer service to city hall visitors, managing city records, administering elections, preparing public meeting agendas and serving as secretary to the city administrator, finance director and city council.

“I got exhausted just reading the job description,” New London Mayor Gary Henke joked at last week’s city council meeting.

The job posting will require the clerk to have a high school diploma “or equivalent” and at least four years of experience in a “related field.” A Wisconsin Certified Municipal Clerk certification is preferred.

Other city council approvals
The New London City Council approved the following items on June 13 unanimously (Second District Alderwoman Mary Tate and Fourth District Alderman Rob Way were absent):

• A $270,000 bid from Cardinal Construction of Fond du Lac to replace the front entrance and deteriorating ramp in front of New London Public Library and Museum. The project is anticipated to last Aug. 15 to Oct. 24. The southeast door near the parking lot will serve as the temporary entrance. An alternative accessible, door bell-activated entrance will be set up at the basement door north of the main entrance (a wheelchair ramp will be installed).

• The first reading of an ordinance to prohibit parking on the south side of Evergreen Street from Algoma to Mill streets. A second reading will occur in July before final approval.

• An ordinance to limit parking along a 180-foot stretch of the east side of Algoma Street to two hours. This will free up street parking for patients visiting the Affinity Medical Group clinic. Parking remains prohibited on the west side of Algoma Street.

• The purchase of compressed-air bottle filling stations for New London Fire Department for $67,356. The new system will comply with today’s standards, work more efficiently and reduce safety risks. The stations will fill firefighters’ air cylinders used for breathing at fire scenes.

• The yearly liquor license applications list. This includes that of C&R Waterfront bartender Bree-Ann Leone, whose license renewal was debated by the finance and personnel committee on June 7 because of Leone’s history of drug- and alcohol-related offences. Not on the list is Gerald Voigt Jr. of Half Blonde, 306 W. North Water St. His bar has closed.

• An $11,601 bid from Wolf River Asphalt of Shiocton to perform asphalt patching on city streets this year.

• A $7,557 bid from W.J. Woodruff Roofing Contractors of Fond du Lac to perform roof and gutter repairs on the north side of New London Public Library and Museum.

• A one-year agreement to partner with Tivity Health to offer senior citizens usage of the pool and weight room at New London Aquatic and Fitness Center through the Silver Sneakers insurance-based fitness program.