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Town Board Member Bud Shattuck told the board that the Town of Lansing needs to consider a domestic partner policy at the July 21 meeting. Recently an employee was denied bereavement leave, because the town has no policy in place and thus, had no mechanism for granting the leave. Mr. Shattuck reported that the Personnel Committee has been considering such a policy and wants guidance from the board.

It seemed board members agreed that at least some benefits should be extended. The sticking point is that the town must clearly define "domestic partnership" in order to have a policy that is workable. Town Attorney Guy Krogh asked whether it means same-sex relationships, non-married different sex relationships, and what constitutes a qualifying relationship, saying the town would have to define these things. There is also the matter of fairness. If benefits are afforded to same-sex couples, for instance, how would the town justify not offering them to employees in a common-law marriage?

In addition, because non-traditional couplings are not legally defined, the town would have to create a definition that would trigger benefits. Mr. Shattuck suggested that "proof could be simple." A couple would need to have the same address and some documents such as a joint bank account or both names appearing on utility bills. Some board members suggested there be a requirement for proof that they have been domestic partners for a minimum of one year. Others didn't think that one year was long enough.

Finally, which benefits would be offered, and at what expense to the town? Medical benefits are very expensive to the town as they are all over the country.

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(L-R) Town Supervisor Stephen Farkas, Board Members Bud Shattuck, Doug McEver, Connie Wilcox and Marty Christopher

The town of Lansing has about 40 employees who qualify for benefits. "We want to recognize the people who work for us," said Mr. Shattuck. "I don't know if we want to be the Pope or the Police."

Board member Connie Wilcox noted that she had just read that divorce numbers have been going down, but that the reason is that more couples are choosing to live together out of wedlock. She said that this trend was going to increase, and that it is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.

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