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Elected town clerk urges pay parity; selectmen ask for legal opinion before action
Summary
Winchester’s elected town clerk delivered a detailed case for raising the clerk’s compensation and urged either a budget-based increase or a charter change to make the position hired; the board agreed to seek a legal ruling on whether it can change salary midterm and to reconsider during the budget process.
Glenn, Winchester’s elected town clerk, told the Board of Selectmen on March 16 that the position has been undercompensated and asked the board to establish a fair, equitable compensation formula or consider a charter revision to make the role an appointed, non‑elected position.
The clerk outlined office upgrades, state certification, a new recording system and years of uncompensated overtime, and supplied a wage‑comparison survey of peer towns. “I’m respectfully asking this board to consider the following points and encourage you to work with the town manager to establish a fair and equitable compensation formula for the town clerk position,” he said in a prepared presentation.
Board members praised the clerk’s work but cautioned that changes may raise legal issues. Several selectmen said salary adjustments must follow state rules and the town charter; one member summarized the legal concern: raises often must be set prior to the beginning of an elected term and a midterm pay increase may be impermissible. The board agreed to request a written opinion from the town attorney—specifically whether the board has authority to change an elected clerk’s salary during the current term—and to revisit the matter once that ruling is received.
Some selectmen recommended handling the clerk’s salary as a budget line item (so the issue would be considered during budget hearings), while others urged a longer-term fix through charter revision to convert the role to a hired position, which would allow inclusion in negotiated pay schedules and benefits.
Next steps: the town manager will seek immediate guidance from the town attorney; the board will reconvene the discussion after receiving legal advice and will consider any recommended salary changes as part of the regular budget process or via charter work if appropriate.
