A significant restructuring of employee classifications and compensation took center stage at the Southborough Advisory Committee meeting on October 1, 2025. The committee unanimously supported a proposal to consolidate the roles of Business Administrator 1 and Business Administrator 2 into a single classification, simplifying the town's personnel pay plan. This move aims to eliminate redundancy and enhance clarity in job roles, with an associated funding of $8,577 sourced from free cash.

The proposal, backed by the Personnel Board, seeks to address confusion among employees regarding their classifications and pay scales. Barry, a committee member, highlighted the historical context, noting that a previous compensation study had recommended the creation of the two roles in 2017, but a more recent study in 2022 did not suggest any changes. The consolidation is seen as a necessary step to improve employee morale and retention, particularly for those feeling undervalued in comparison to newer hires.

In addition to the classification changes, the committee also discussed adjustments to vacation accrual policies for nonunion employees. The proposed changes would increase the starting vacation time from two weeks to three weeks for new employees, a move aimed at making the town more competitive in attracting talent. This recommendation was also supported by the Personnel Board, with members emphasizing the necessity of offering competitive benefits to retain experienced staff.

The meeting concluded with a vote to support these articles, reflecting a consensus on the need for adjustments to better align compensation and benefits with current market standards. The anticipated outcomes include improved employee satisfaction and retention, as well as a more streamlined administrative structure within the town's workforce.