Town discusses merit pay adjustments to retain crucial public service workers

During the recent 1st Budget Workshop for FY26 in South Berwick, town officials emphasized the critical need to maintain competitive wages for municipal employees to ensure effective service delivery. The discussion highlighted the potential challenges of staffing shortages if wages do not keep pace with the market, particularly in essential services like public safety and road maintenance.

Officials noted that without appropriate merit pay adjustments—ranging from 50 cents to a dollar—there could be significant repercussions, including reliance on volunteer help for crucial tasks such as snow plowing. This proactive approach aims to prevent service disruptions that could arise from staffing gaps.

The conversation also underscored the importance of treating the town's operations like a business, where maintaining a competitive salary structure is essential for retaining skilled workers. The town has already seen success in attracting talent, having recently hired two police officers from a neighboring community, which officials described as a significant achievement.

As the budget planning progresses, the focus remains on balancing the need for fair compensation with responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. The decisions made in this workshop will play a vital role in shaping the town's ability to provide essential services and maintain a stable workforce in the coming fiscal year.