Committee refers mayoral order to allow higher hiring step for assistant superintendent of water plant

The New Bedford Committee on Finance unanimously referred to the full City Council an order authorizing the mayor to negotiate and hire an assistant superintendent/plant manager for the Quitticus water plant at grade M12 up to step 3.

Justin (Department of Public Infrastructure) said the administration has received two applicants — one internal and one external — for the Quitticus superintendent position and is seeking authority to offer up to step 3 of the M12 salary range if necessary to secure a qualified hire. Committee members asked for compensation details; staff provided current M12 figures for FY2025: Step 1 is $76,798 and Step 3 is $84,669. Staff said the position has been difficult to fill and that adjusting the maximum negotiated step is intended to make the hiring package competitive with neighboring municipalities.

Councilors asked whether the internal candidate’s current salary would be affected; staff said they would provide exact current compensation for the internal applicant to the council as a follow-up. Councilors also asked whether nearby towns pay similar ranges; staff said Dartmouth’s pay scale is in the same ballpark. The motion to refer the order to the full City Council was made by Councilor Ryan Perera and seconded by Councilor Abreu and passed 11–0.

Votes at a glance: refer the mayoral order authorizing hiring at M12 up to Step 3 to the full Council (mover: Councilor Ryan Perera; second: Councilor Abreu; outcome: referred to full council, vote 11–0).

The administration said the referral allows them to finalize negotiations quickly and return the proposed hire to council as required by city hiring rules.