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Town council authorizes COLA increase for treasurer and town clerk; board of finance must still act
Summary
The New Canaan Town Council voted 11–1 on Oct. 15 to authorize a cost-of-living adjustment for the town treasurer and town clerk tied to the collective bargaining agreement, but council members and staff said the board of finance must approve any contingency transfer before payments can be made.
The New Canaan Town Council on Oct. 15 approved a motion authorizing a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the town treasurer and town clerk. The increase was described by council members as the COLA set by the town’s collective bargaining agreement; the council did not state a specific percentage in its motion.
Councilmember Eric Tuna urged colleagues to respect the recommendation of the Board of Finance, which he said had recommended a salary increase for the first selectman but had not recommended raises for the town clerk or treasurer. "The board of finance did not recommend a salary increase for either the town clerk or the town treasurer," Tuna said, adding he wished to "respect and abide by" the board’s determination.
Other councilmembers argued the council should still vote on the COLA. Several members said the board of finance did not formally act on this topic at its meeting and that the town council’s vote would register the council’s position.
Councilmembers and staff repeatedly emphasized that, because the proposed increases were not included in the annual budget, any payments would require a transfer from contingency and therefore would need the board of finance’s approval before being implemented. Town staff explained the limitation for elected positions: state statute and local practice require that the salary for certain elected positions be set before the incoming official takes office.
After debate the council took a roll-call vote and approved the motion authorizing the COLA. The roll call produced 11 yes votes and 1 no. Council members recorded in the meeting transcript as voting yes were: Rita Battino; Tom Butterworth; Janice Hahn; Luke Kaufman; Mike Marr; Maria Norton; Kimberly Norton; Hillary Orman; Christina Ross; Penny Young; Jennifer Zonis. Eric Tuna voted no. The council noted the action still requires follow-up with the Board of Finance for any transfer from contingency.
The council directed staff to convey the council’s authorization to the Board of Finance and to provide any documentation the board requests. The council’s vote does not itself move funds; it records the council’s approval subject to subsequent financial approvals.
