Annual Report - Salary Info nixed by Selectmen
From the Citizen:
Despite earlier indications that it might not even address the issue, selectmen have voted against publishing detailed list of town employee salaries and benefits in the Town Report, as the Budget Committee had urged.
"We believe that putting as much information in the hands of Gilford's citizens about their local government's financial situation is among our most important challenges. An informed public is one that will make appropriate choices and decisions when it comes to making decisions at the annual meeting," Budget Committee Chair Dick Hickok stated in a letter dated Jan. 1.
Yes, I was one of those who voted for the Letter to be sent to the Selectmen.
Benavides acknowledged the issue posed a dilemma, saying the board has to be aware of the balance between the needs of the voters and the needs of the town employees.
The board ultimately voted 2-1 against publishing the employee names and salaries in this year's annual report. Benavides disagreed with the other two members, asserting that while it may be harmful to the employees, the benefit to the voters outweighs that harm.
"The local government is for the people, by the people and the people have a right to know," said Benavides.
Bravo, Gus - Bravo!
Some may believe...
...that I am anti-employee for my stance on this - nonsense. What I am comes from the same viewpoint as Gus (or more) - not anti-empoyee but much more more pro-taxpayer. This philosophical difference brings to the fore the following question - who exists for who? How one answers that can give the reader an idea of where one stands. Philosophically, I believe that the town employees exist for the benefit of the town residents (and not the other way around). I do not say that in a mean spirited way - for me, it is an obvious fact.
"I just think we have made a lot of changes," said Selectman Connie Grant, pointing out that things like employee evaluations, additional contributions to health care premiums and a change in the pay increase policy have taxed employee morale already.
Selectman Chair Alice Boucher agreed with Grant, saying, "It just stirs up a big thing I don't think has to be. I don't think it is necessary."
Lots of changes have been made, and Connie has been at the forefront of many of them and she shoudl be applauded for leading the charge on them. I will say that I do wish that she had moved forward with this issue as well.
Alice Boucher, from what I have seen and heard and in my opinion from the COLA last year, seems to be holding the opposite philosophical. Thus, it is no big surprise that she would be against giving the voters an easier access to the data.
Grant said that even if the board was to seriously consider the recommendation as an actable option, she would not feel comfortable leaving the decision up to the three board members. Instead, she suggested that a warrant article would be the way to go.
I could live with that option.
Benavides asked if she would consider a motion to draft a warrant article that would ask the voters of Gilford.
Good follow through!
Grant proceeded to make a motion not to print the salaries.
Oops.
"I don't think it has to be done this year. I'm not interested in entertaining (the request)," she said.
Well, maybe a petition warrant will show up next year.....
