WELD — Voters at City Assembly Saturday modified the street commissioner place from elected to appointed. In addition they amended price range articles so as to add $7,516 for added medical insurance protection.
General, residents accepted a 2022-23 municipal price range of $640,518, which is $20,556 or 3.11% lower than final yr’s $661,074 price range.
Talking in regards to the problem in filling the street commissioner’s place, resident Michael Graham mentioned the place undoubtedly must be appointed to get somebody. Up to now, he added, sure street commissioners went off on their very own, couldn’t be reined in, and didn’t contemplate the Choose Board their boss.
Through the voice rely, only some voters opposed the change from elected to appointed.
Earlier, whereas contemplating charges of pay for workers, resident Larry Fish advised that articles relating to the street commissioner and probably offering medical insurance for that place must be determined first. With no assist, debate on pay continued.
Growing hourly wages by $1 per hour was proposed for a lot of city staff. For street commissioner, it was really helpful to supply a wage “as much as $22 per hour,” which might be a $3 enhance.
“The Funds Committee felt it was cheap to extend wages throughout the board, (we) might try this with out impacting the mill charge,” Choose Board Chair Richard Doughty mentioned.
Voters in the end agreed all city salaries must be elevated about 5% except for the street commissioner. For that place, voters accepted providing as much as $22 per hour. The city at the moment doesn’t have a everlasting street commissioner.
Doughty mentioned the one who stepped ahead this yr expressing curiosity within the place requested for a rise subsequent yr, however later determined in opposition to the place. The city has had problem filling the place and will not be paying sufficient, he mentioned.
“If we don’t discover a absolutely certified individual we might supply much less (till) they grow to be absolutely certified,” Doughty acknowledged. Growing wages and providing medical insurance may make it higher for individuals to contemplate the place, he added.
The board struggled with the wage and advantages concern, Selectperson Dina Walker mentioned. Whereas it might appear unfair to different staff, the city can be in dire straits if it couldn’t discover a street commissioner. The city wants a street commissioner, she famous.
“You’re not going to drag somebody from out of city to fill this place,” resident Christopher Smith mentioned. “When it’s important to get up at 1 a.m. to plow roads, the requirement to have a industrial driver’s license — $22 per hour isn’t sufficient.”
“I personally don’t suppose $22 is sufficient. It’s a step in the correct route,” Selectperson Brian Haynes mentioned. Supervisors for the Maine Division of Transportation make fairly a bit greater than $22 per hour, he famous.
Voters determined to permit the Selectboard to supply a medical insurance bundle to the street commissioner.
Below normal authorities, $1,000 was added to offer 100% protection of medical insurance for City Clerk Carol Cochran. It had been coated at 50%. For public works, $6,516 was added to supply 50% protection for the street commissioner.
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