(1) A copy of this manual will be given to all current employees of the Town of St. John and to all new employees, to include part-time, seasonal and volunteer employees, subsequent to its adoption.

(2) The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice at the sole discretion of the Town. Only the Town Council will have the authority to make revisions of policies contained herein. Employees will be notified by email of any changes made to the manual.

(3) Any changes in the policy and procedure manual shall in no way alter the employment-at-will policy or create a binding contract between the Town and any employee.

(4) Employees are encouraged to make suggestions for improvements in personnel policies and practices. Suggestions should be directed to the Town Manager in writing, together with an explanation as to how such a change could benefit the Town, department, and/or the public.

(5) The Town Council will undertake to accomplish a review of the manual at regular intervals or as may be indicated by law or change in characteristics of the Town workforce.

(6) The Town Council maintains the ultimate right to manage their employees, consistent with the policies set forth in this manual and all applicable state and federal laws. The Council's rights include, but are not limited to, determining methods and procedures, number of employees, assignment of duties, hours of employment compensation, hiring, disciplining, discharging, promoting and transferring employees, and laying off employees for lack of work, lack of funds, or due to job abolishment.

(7) The policies of this manual supersede all previous policies of the Town of St. John or any department jurisdiction of the Town, written or unwritten, on subject matters covered or referred to herein. In policy areas in which Police Department manual is silent on a topic, the Town policy and procedure manual will control. It is noted that the Town of St. John Police Department is governed by a separate set of policies; therefore, the Police Department generally follows the employee benefits section of this manual, specifically sections 16-119 and 16-120 (PTO).

(8) In the event that any section of this manual, or any amendments or revisions thereto, are held to be unenforceable, contrary to law or otherwise restrained from full force and effect by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction, the remaining section(s) of the manual, to the extent that they remain unaffected by such declaration or restraint, shall continue in full force and effect.

(9) Any change to this policy manual will be effective only if set forth in writing and approved by the Town Council.