NORTHFIELD — At the request of town employees, town officials are looking at developing a sick leave bank.

Town Administrator Andrea Llamas presented the idea to the Selectboard on Tuesday, saying staff members have asked for the ability to donate their unused sick time to coworkers who need it.

“This came up as an idea from an employee who wanted to donate some sick leave to another employee who was newer,” Selectboard Chair Barbara “Bee” Jacque said. “So Andrea reached out to several different small towns and big towns, and came up with this sick leave bank.”

Llamas proposed that the town amend its personnel policies to add a sick leave bank, which would allow town employees to donate hours to the sick leave bank and borrow hours as they wish.

“The purpose really is that it’s totally voluntary. Anyone who doesn’t want to join doesn’t have to,” Llamas said. “Sick leave is one of the things that many people in town don’t use their allotment of, but when someone really needs it, they sometimes just don’t have enough.”

After researching other towns’ policies and consulting with the town treasurer and accountant, Llamas said the town can track the number of hours donated and by whom, and then allow those who donated to the sick bank to borrow from it as needed.

“If you join and give one or two a year, whatever it is, and run out of yours, you can borrow that up to a certain number. So you’re eligible to get back what you put in or more if need be,” Llamas explained. “But if you’re not a member of the sick bank, you don’t have that option.”

Selectboard members were in favor of the idea, and told Llamas to continue drafting a personnel policy and survey more staff on their interest.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Selectboard member Dan Campbell commented.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.