At its Aug. 4 meeting the Candia Board of Selectmen approved raising a full‑time recycling‑center employee’s pay from grade 3, step 11 to grade 4, step 10 and made the change retroactive to the employee’s June 15, 2025 performance review. The board voted unanimously to apply the new grade and step to the employee identified in the meeting as Nick.

The move followed a presentation that Selectmen said summarized a request from Chuck, who oversees staff at the recycling center, that his crew be placed on pay steps comparable to part‑time office staff. Town participants said the change was intended to improve internal parity and support retention for employees who work outdoors and handle physically demanding duties.

Board members noted the town’s existing pay matrix is outdated and does not reflect recent inflation or market changes. The selectmen agreed staff will review the pay matrix during the upcoming budget process. One member said a separate proposal to recognize Chuck’s increased responsibilities will be brought to the board for consideration before the 2026 budget.

The vote to raise Nick’s grade and to make the adjustment retroactive was moved and seconded during the meeting and carried with the board members present voting in favor. The motion as amended included the June 15, 2025 review date as the retroactive effective date. The meeting record did not state dollar amounts tied to the grade change; the town clerk or finance office would have the payroll details.

Selectmen also discussed whether moving employees into the New Hampshire Retirement System or changing retirement contributions would materially affect take‑home pay; participants said the effect depends on individual elections and noted the board did not adopt any retirement‑system enrollment changes at the meeting.

The board asked staff to provide updated compensation data and a clearer salary matrix for review during budget preparation so the selectmen can consider broader adjustments across town positions.