Council sends Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant stipend request back for commissioner vote and to appear before committee

The Committee on Finance and Salaries reviewed a request from the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (TMLP) asking the city to increase annual commissioner stipends. The TMLP general manager said commissioners’ stipends had not been adjusted since 2000 and requested the council consider raising the commissioner compensation to reflect cumulative increases in the cost of living and other board stipends.

The city solicitor, Matt Costa, advised the committee that the municipal council establishes the level of compensation for the TMLP commission but that the compensation is paid from the receipts/annual appropriation of the municipal lighting plant under the special act establishing the TMLP (chapter 150 of the Acts of 19‑19, as amended). The solicitor’s letter clarifies that the council sets pay levels but that funds are drawn from the TMLP budget, not the city’s tax base.

Committee members expressed concern about transparency and process. Several councilors asked for supporting documentation and a recorded TMLP commission vote on any stipend request. Councilor Sanders recommended a formal schedule and process for any board seeking a stipend increase: requests should include supporting documentation and a recorded vote by the board. Councilor Pottier and others suggested the council could address all stipend requests at once in an April review.

Actions taken: The committee voted to ask the TMLP commission to place the stipend increase on its next agenda and take a public, recorded vote on whether the commission supports the requested increase; the commission was also asked to notify the council clerk if it votes in favor so the matter can be scheduled for the committee. The committee also asked the TMLP general manager and commission chair to appear at the committee meeting on February 25 to explain the commission’s responsibilities and time commitments. Councilors requested clarification on whether the TMLP sought the increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024 and noted that any retroactive payment or suspension of rules would require explicit council action.

Why it matters: The solicitor’s opinion — that the municipal council sets the stipend level but the funds are paid from the TMLP receipts — framed the discussion. Committee members said they wanted clearer evidence of the commission’s support for the change, documentation of time commitments and a consistent process for stipend adjustments across boards and commissions.

Next steps: The committee asked staff to schedule the TMLP chair and general manager to appear at the Feb. 25 meeting and asked the TMLP commission to take a recorded vote at its next meeting and report back. Separately, committee members proposed an April timetable to consider any stipend requests from multiple boards together.

Ending: Committee members signaled openness to a stipend review but emphasized a need for documented justification, a recorded commission vote and a public presentation on the TMLP commission’s duties before the council would act.