NORTHFIELD — Although Chair Heath Cummings proposed a stipend increase for Selectboard members during a budget discussion Tuesday, no vote was taken as members weighed other financial constraints in town and sought more data.
Under the fiscal year 2022 budget, Selectboard members earn a $2,219 stipend, while the chair receives $2,358. Town Administrator Andrea Llamas said those numbers would be set to raise to $2,352 for members and $2,499 for the chair by factoring in a 6% cost-of-living adjustment for fiscal year 2023, but Cummings proposed a larger increase, inspiring a discussion on the extensive responsibilities of the role and how stipends in other towns compare.
Cummings, prefacing by saying he may not seek re-election and thus may not reap any benefit from a stipend increase, suggested the chair be paid $3,500 and members receive $3,200 in FY23. Between the five Selectboard members, this would amount to $16,300 for the year, compared to $11,235 in FY22, amounting to a 45% increase.
“I know that what we do is public service, and nobody’s really in it for the money,” Cummings began. “To potentially gain a citizen’s interest in running for Selectboard, that may mean they have to give up certain things and that may mean a part-time job. … To some people who might want to do this but it’s cost-prohibitive for them … this might help someone.”
Cummings emphasized the huge time commitment of being on the Selectboard that extends beyond biweekly meetings, noting he kept track of his hours in his first year and, based on his calculations, the hourly pay amounted to around $10 per hour.
“I think our time is worth more,” he told his fellow board members. “You’re all worth it.”
Member Alex Meisner agreed with Cummings, noting that it’s important to settle on a stipend that would attract future members.
“I wasn’t expecting that, but now that one board member’s said it, I feel more comfortable,” Meisner said.
However, members Barbara “Bee” Jacque and Bernard “Bernie” Boudreau were hesitant to vote an increase, with Jacque posing additional questions and Boudreau mentioning other financial constraints Northfield will face in the near future.
“With this EMS project and everything else going on in the town right now…” Boudreau began, referencing the plans for a new public safety complex, “I just feel it’s a little fiscally irresponsible to vote ourselves a raise.”
Although Jacque echoed Cummings’ thoughts regarding the huge time commitment, she noted such a large percentage increase would be sure to generate discussion from the Finance Committee and Town Meeting voters, and sought more information on what stipends look like across town. Llamas mentioned some other boards, such as the Finance Committee, Planning Board and Conservation Commission, don’t receive a stipend at all.
“I need to think about the amount and the percentage increase,” Jacque said. “The percentage increase really makes me uncomfortable.”
The members also shared data from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), which releases an annual wage and salary survey across the county. Although some Selectboards, such as Orange, which has the only other five-member board in the county, receive no stipend at all, others receive more than Northfield. Among the higher numbers in FRCOG’s data for fiscal year 2022 is Erving, whose board members receive $4,150 stipends. To view FRCOG’s study, visit bit.ly/34NzvJ2.
Although Meisner motioned to approve the increases for the FY23 budget, the motion was ultimately withdrawn following hesitancy from board members.
Llamas said she is presenting the Selectboard’s budget proposal — which does not currently include Cummings’ proposed increase — to the Finance Committee on Monday, and she expects at least one Selectboard member will be there to begin a discussion with the committee about a potential increase. Selectboard members noted Tuesday they’d like to have the Finance Committee’s support.
Reach Shelby Ashline at 413-772-0261, ext. 270 or sashline@recorder.com.