Southborough Personnel Board debates early salary study, approves seasonal pay and job-description changes

The Town of Southborough Personnel Board on Feb. 10 discussed whether to move forward early with a comprehensive pay-and-class study and approved several personnel actions, including changes to seasonal recreation pay, reclassification of a part-time program supervisor and updated job descriptions for the assistant town accountant and the IT manager title change.

The discussion centered on competitiveness for seasonal and classified staff and the timing and funding for a full pay study. The board noted the Select Board and its advisory committee have questioned paying for the study in fiscal 2026. John (Personnel Board member) said he "would support that we go ahead with the appropriation of the $25,000," framing the appropriation as a potential warrant article for Annual Town Meeting on April 7, 2025. Mark (Personnel Board member, speaking as a liaison) said advisory-level deliberations over the weekend produced informal opposition and that the Personnel Board should be invited to brief the Select Board before final decisions.

Why it matters: board members said a timely review matters for retaining staff and addressing pay concerns employees have raised. Board members also noted limits on the data available without a formal outside study and the tight timeline before town meeting if the…