By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
4/23/09
Heads from the town’s major departments have agreed to take a zero percent wage increase for fiscal year 2010.
In response to the weakened budget situation and the looming override vote, Town Administrator Kevin Mearn, the chiefs of both the police and fire departments, as well as the two deputy police chiefs, who are union-contracted, have agreed to the wage freeze.
According to correspondence to the Selectmen from the School Committee, Superintendent of Schools Mary Gormley, along with Assistant Superintendent John Phelan, have agreed to the action, as well.
The announcement was made at the Selectmen’s April 16 meeting.
“We are grateful to these individuals who are willing to do this for the town,” said Selectman Chair Kathy Fagan. “It’s recognizing the fact that their goal is to preserve jobs where possible, to allow resources to be shifted in a very difficult year.”
The savings will also be extended to the new DPW director’s position, as well as the new fire chief, as both positions are currently in the process of being filled. The figures will be part of negotiations with the candidates.
“We realize the town is looking for an override. We are well aware of the financial situation,” said Mearn. “I think this is an effort to try to show the town’s folks that we do care, we do understand.”
The savings will not be enough to make a huge difference in next year’s budget, as employees from the service departments are Chapter 13 employees, and therefore were only scheduled to receive a 1 percent pay raise.
The funds will remain in the budget to be used for other salaries, and is not contingent on the passage of the override, according to Mearn.