BREAKING NEWS: Mount Pleasant, South Shore Reach Two-Year Agreement

Editor's Note: We incorrectly listed the vote as 6-1 for the vote. The count was actually 5-1 because Trustee Karen Albeck was absent. We've corrected the story and regret the error.

trustees voted 5-1 in favor of a new, two-year contract with the South Shore Fire Department. Trustee Gary Feest was the lone dissent, and Karen Albeck was absent.

The special board meeting was not without its drama, though, as one board member questioned specific language and another board member wanted time to get a legal opinion. At one point, it did appear there wouldn't be an agreement, but in the end, a small change suggested by Chief William Bouma seemed to satisfy most concerns.

William Miller, union president, delivered a Memorandum of Understanding to the board on Oct. 13, after .

At the beginning of the meeting, Trustee Harry Manning questioned whether or not the department's administrative staff was included because the contract would only cover the bargaining unit.

Miller explained that clerical is excluded, but bargaining includes command staff.

"In 2012, this is a top-to-bottom, everyone is contributing equally," he said. Because command staff is not in the bargaining unit, however, the village may request a side letter, but Miller changed some of the wording in the contract to make it clear that "staff officers" are included in the contract.

Manning also expressed concern that the proposed contract locked the village into place until the end of 2013.

"This prevents negotiation for retirement contributions until it's time to talk about the 2014 contract," he said.

But Miller countered that the village asked the department to cut $200,000 and get a new agreement back to trustees in two days.

"With all due respect, you tasked us with finding savings and this contract does that, it provides the village with financial stability," he said. "We did our job, now please do yours."

Manning was still not comfortable and requested a closed session, which is allowed under state statute for labor negotiations. Miller clearly wasn't happy, and even Village President Carolyn Milkie questioned the need when talks had been out in the open.

Clerk/Treasurer Debra Salas checked statutes to be sure it was a legal move and once reassurance was given, the board went into closed session.

Once back in open session, Bouma confirmed that clerical staff are exempt from the contract because they already pay into the pension and healthcare plans. Both he and Battalion Chief Jon Kaiser both told the board they are in full agreement with the contract, as are the other members of command staff.

But Manning again raised a point about language, questioning the phrase that would lock the board into maintaining "funding and staffing" levels through 2013. He asked Miller if the intent was represented employees and if that term could be inserted.

Miller said no.

"The intent is represented employees, but if commanders are contributing, then they should be protected, too," he said. "No changes in the budget means you can't start picking off command staff at a later date."

It was Bouma's suggestion that the "funding" portion of the phrase be removed to answer Manning's concern about the board having flexibility to adjust the budget if, for example, fuel prices rise. That seemed to satisfy most everyone.

Still, Manning was concerned that management staff were not part of the 2013 contract year, but Bouma said they were.

"You know, to put us on the spot in an open meeting like you did is unheard of," Miller added. "But we came in good faith and we expect the village to do the same."

Feest said that while he believed the contract was in good faith and would be a good deal for the village, he wanted a little time to get a legal opinion since board members are not lawyers.

"If really is a good deal, then it will a good deal on Monday, after we've had a chance to get a legal opinion," he said. "I have some angst because the Village Board are not legal experts."

Trustee John Hewitt made the motion to accept the contract with the changes and Jerry Garski seconded.

After the meeting, as officials were signing the agreement in the appropriate spaces, Miller said he was relieved it was over.

"We did a good job with this," he said. "It was a lot of work in a short amount of time."