SABATTUS – Budget Committee members voiced concern this week about higher-than-expected appropriations for pay increases in the upcoming town warrant.
The committee members thought there would only be a 3 percent increase and developed their budget proposal under that assumption. When they met with the selectmen Tuesday night, they said the increase in the selectmen’s proposal was a surprise.
The selectmen have included a 6 percent increase for most departments, which would include money for cost-of-living needs. The additional money also would fund a new salary system for town employees with steps to provide increases based on an employee’s experience and length of service.
“We needed more of a buffer,” selectmen Chairman Gino Camardese said about the selectmen’s proposal. “We can’t run as tight as we did this year again.”
Currently, town employees’ job titles and descriptions are left for loose interpretation, said Selectman Guy Desjardins. He is hoping that the new salary system will help give structure to the process.
“This way when, say, a mechanic comes in, we can look down on paper and go, Here’s the pay scale,'” he said.
The selectmen’s proposal also includes an increase for selectmen, which some selectmen support and others oppose. It would increase their annual pay from $5,500 to $6,000. Selectmen also are considering holding their meetings, which are now lengthy ones, every week rather than twice a month. Discussion on that has been tabled until the board’s next meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. May 17 in the town building.
On Tuesday, the selectmen also decided against putting a proposal on the warrant to opt for a town manager form of government, as opposed to the current town administrator system. But they approved an article asking town voters to allow the selectmen to appoint a charter committee to research the possibility of a town-manager government.
The annual town meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21, in the basement of the town building. Voters will be considering various appropriations, but won’t specifically vote on adopting the salary step system.
Due to the monetary disagreements, the Budget Committee asked the board to separate the Budget Committee’s and selectmen’s recommended appropriations. The committee will meet with selectmen today to go over the warrant before it heads to the printer.
“I am very optimistic,” Budget Committee Director Karen Atwood said. “We are committed to informing the public and that’s what we want to do.”
The town report and warrant will most likely be published by May 13, said Town Clerk Robin Dulac.
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