Council Approves Raises for Supervisors

It was the Legislative Council last meeting before a new council is sworn in Nov. 27, but that didn't stop the controversy.

At issue was a proposal for raises for 20 non-union town employees who many said were underpaid in relation to their peers in other cities and towns.

Despite an effort to table the issue, leaving it for the incoming council, ultimately the raises were approved, to the dismay of many in the audience.

Only nine of the 15 council members attended Thursday's special meeting, prompting Councilman John DeRosa to propose tabling the item. But that motion failed, leading to the vote to approve the raises.

During the last budget season, the question of salary equity came up, and the council agreed to put aside the money for the raises and appointing an ad hoc committee to study the issue and determine what those raises should be, council president Jim Pascarella said.

That committee recently came back to the council with its findings, which led to the proposed raises. But some questioned the timing of the item -- after the election and before the new council is sworn in.

"I don't know where to put this -- fear, back-ally politics or political stupidity, I don't know how to classify it," said former council member John Flannagan. but this is a bad night to be doing this and it is a slap in the face to every employee who has given back."

"I guarantee you'll see no more concessions from anyone," said Garvin Road resident Robin Ferraro. "If you think about it, these are the leaders of the town, and leaders don't take for themselves when they ask others to give back."

But the council members who supported the raises said it was a matter of equity. For many department heads, they're supervising employees who make more money than they do because of overtime, Pascarella said.

"I know the Public Works supervisors make more money than the department head," he said.

"Many of them haven't had raises in four of five years and have taken furlough days," Councilman Thomas Rousseau said. "They have sacrificed for the town."

That may be true, but now is not the time to dole out raises, others said.

"These raises are sending the wrong message," said Councilman David Hennigan. "You can't say the town is in desperate financial shape and then turn around and do this."

"This is a bad time to do this," said Councilwoman Lynn Campo. "They may be excellent workers but the economy isn't there yet, folks.

"I can't [vote for it]," Campo said. "This town has serious financial problems."

There is never a good time to approve raises, several said, but it has to be done to bring the salaries in line with similar positions in other communities.

"If we want good department heads we have to sacrifice some kind of compensation for them," said Councilman Ozzie Brown. "We can't purchase steak with hamburger money."

The motion passed, with Campo, DeRosa and Hennigan voting against it. Council members Jack Kennelly, Carol Noble, Betty Wetmore, Michael Colaiacovo Jr., Michael Iezzi and Gabe Lupo did not attend Tuesday's meeting.

The council approved the following raises:

• Fire Chief: $101,475 to $105,000
• Police Chief: $101,475 to $105,000
• Deputy Fire Chief: $91,978 to $99,784
• Town Attorney: $72,277 to $95,000 
• Finance Director: $94,300 to $95,000
• Town Engineer: $92,367 to $93,000
• Economic Development Director: $85,758 to $90,000
• Personnel Director:  80,710 to $90,000 
• Town Planner: $80,758.34 to $90,000 
• Public Works Director: $87,125 to $90,000
• Chief Administrative Officer: $72,561 to $90,000 
• Building Inspector: $80,462 to $85,000
• Risk Manager: $65,783 to $75,000 
• Library Director: $74,038 to $75,000
• Arts, Recreation and Culture Director: $71.500 to $75,000
• Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: $54,255 to $55,000
• Secretary: $39,975 to $45,000
• Deputy Registrar of Voters- $3,331 to $3,500
• Recycling Coordinator: $26,855 to $29,000
• Litter Enforcement Agent: $10,250 to $10,500