At its Dec. 22 meeting the Personnel Board reviewed several proposed stipends and other SAP edits. Staff described a proposed stipend for the records access officer (RAO) that would move responsibility to the town clerk’s office and likely apply the stipend to the deputy town clerk. Jim Hegarty, the town clerk, described the RAO role as complex and time-consuming, with potential legal and privacy implications from public-record requests, and said the stipend would be added to the clerk’s salary account if approved.

Carla, a certified government accountant, requested a stipend for her assistant to encourage certification parity with treasurer and assessor stipends; she noted Massachusetts General Law supports stipends for treasurers and assessors but not explicitly for accountants and asked the board to consider the item at the next meeting.

On a Board-of-Health request, Taylor West presented a motion to approve a $5,000 stipend for the registered sanitarian certification for the shared health agent (Chris). Taylor and others noted Northborough would reimburse half the stipend if its town meeting approves the funding. The board moved and seconded a motion to approve a $5,000 stipend for the registered sanitarian "contingent upon the approval of Northborough to pay their half," and the roll-call vote passed.

Votes at a glance: minutes were approved; the Recreation Department temporary hours request under SAP §13 was approved (roll call recorded with one abstention); the DPW business administrator job description was approved; the board recommended $12,000 for workplace development and to sponsor a $25,000 paying-class study warrant article; and the $5,000 registered sanitarian stipend was approved contingent on Northborough reimbursement.

Why it matters: Stipends formalize additional responsibilities and recognize required certifications; the RAO stipend discussion emphasized legal responsibilities and time demands associated with public-record requests. Staff will return with draft SAP language and budget details for unresolved stipend requests at a future meeting.

Next steps: The RAO stipend, accountant stipend and other SAP edits will be finalized at the next Personnel Board meeting after staff provides updated language and supporting materials.