Hubbardston board votes 3–1 to post $130,000–$150,000 town administrator range

The Hubbardston Select Board voted 3–1 on April 6 to post a salary range for the town administrator position, approving a range presented by the town administrator search committee and described in the meeting as “1.30 to 1.50.” The committee chair, Carrie Sacramone, said the range was intended to attract experienced candidates for a role that will oversee major municipal projects and stabilize town administration.

Sacramone told the board the committee had benchmarked nearby towns and recommended a competitive range to broaden the candidate pool. Committee members and staff emphasized the town’s lack of post‑employment benefits (OPEB) compared with other communities, which limits compensation packages and makes the posted range a critical recruitment tool.

Several board members pushed back on the fiscal impact of the higher range, pointing to Hubbardston’s constrained budget and arguing the town must balance recruitment priorities with affordability. Sean (town administrator) and other advocates said a broader posting range would let the board negotiate salary and include retention incentives, and that an experienced administrator could improve revenue collection and financial planning.

After discussion and proposals for alternative ranges, Select Board member [functional label] moved to advertise the committee’s recommended range (stated at the meeting as 1.30–1.50). The motion was seconded and passed 3–1. The chair directed staff to post the position with the approved range and the search committee will proceed with listening sessions and candidate screening.

Note on numbers: the committee and board discussed the range in shorthand as “1.30 to 1.50.” At the meeting members used that shorthand with weekly and annual pay calculations; the board and staff treated it as a $130,000–$150,000 range for posting and recruitment purposes.