Hopkinton residents vote down town employee pay raises

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:28:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It isn’t uncommon to see employees state their case for a pay raise, but it’s rare for workers to stand up and say they just don’t need one.

That’s what happened at Hopkinton’s annual Town Meeting on Saturday, March 14, as Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Steve Clough stood at the microphone to address residents while speaking on behalf of town employees.

“We haven’t questioned your judgment in the past, and we won’t question it now,” said Clough. “We don’t want to cut services further to deal with (raises) if you don’t want them.”

Selectmen decided in the week leading up to the meeting to lower their suggested budget by approximately $80,000 to reach the Budget Committee’s recommended figure.

However, board members wanted to leave in the budget a 3 percent cost of living increase, and said they would make up the difference by making cuts in other areas.

Clough told the crowd at the meeting that the town employees had not asked for the raise, and they would accept the decision if residents decided against it in order to leave the money in other departments.

Marion Paxton suggested an amendment to restrict selectmen from giving raises from the budget, an amendment that was passed by voters.

Overall, the operating budget of $5.43 million passed following the amendment, which will result in a decrease of 13 cents per $1,000 on the town portion of the tax rate.

Residents also approved an amendment to put an additional $12,000 in the budget for the town’s summer camp, which sent mixed messages according to Patricia Finnerty.

“I am having a hard time thinking that people just voted $80,000 out that would fund people who work in this town, keep this town safe, and we are talking about putting money in for people to play,” said Finnerty. “I just don’t get it.”

The longest debate of the meeting came over the pay as you throw program, also known as “SMART.”

Many residents felt that the program would benefit the environment and also help save the town money, but others did not believe it was in the best interest of the town.

Town officials had to count ballots twice before deciding that it had been defeated by a 215-212 vote.

Every article other than the SMART program was passed during the meeting, including approval of the sale of Columbia Hall.

Hopkinton News : town employees

Hopkinton residents vote down town employee pay raises