Finance committee recommends chief of staff job description to full council after salary and facilities debate

The Gardner City Finance Committee on May 26 recommended that the full council consider creating a chief of staff position, approving a committee substitute to an ordinance amending Attachment F of Chapter 8 and voting to set a $70,000 starting salary.

The recommendation passed by voice vote, 2 to 1, after committee members debated whether the new title would simply repurpose the existing executive aide role and whether it should carry facilities-management responsibilities. "I just really questioned the need for this," said Committee member (speaker 4), expressing concern that the proposal risks creating a title change without addressing training and utilization gaps in the mayor's office. The mayor (speaker 3) told the committee staff had circulated earlier information and was available to answer questions.

Supporters argued the job description professionalizes the mayor's office and could attract more experienced candidates. "I liked the job description when we last looked at it; I think it would attract better personnel," said another Committee member (speaker 2), who moved to recommend adoption to the full council. That motion was seconded and carried on a 2-1 vote.

Committee members negotiated substantive edits: one substitute amended salary language and added timing and housekeeping changes so the position, if approved, would take effect Aug. 1, 2026, aligning the hire with the FY2027 budget. A subsequent amendment reduced the proposed starting salary from $75,000 to $70,000; that amendment was moved, seconded and approved.

Members repeatedly raised the facilities-management question: whether a separate facilities manager position might be a better fit than folding hands-on facility oversight into an executive-level chief of staff. Staff reported outreach to other municipalities for sample facilities-manager job descriptions and said that research will continue. "If the chief of staff doesn't include that part, would you have a backup plan in mind?" one member asked; staff replied they would examine creating a separate position if needed.

The committee recorded no final hiring decision and left the matter to the full council for final action. The committee also directed staff to reflect the approved language and salary changes in the ordinance and budget materials forwarded to the council.

Next step: the measure will be sent to the full Gardner City Council for consideration; the committee set the proposed effective date at Aug. 1, 2026 if the council approves the ordinance and job description.