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Council approves tax collector appointment with amended salary and stipend
Summary
The council voted to appoint the tax collector and amended the proposed salary upward and to retain a COLA and a $5,000 stipend after discussion; the appointee spoke in the meeting expressing concern about changes and asked for reconsideration on communication timing.
The Londonderry Town Council voted March 16 to appoint the town's tax collector and to set the office's annual salary after amendments during debate.
A motion to set the tax-collector salary was offered and amended on the floor to align the position with the town's general 5% increase practice. Councilors discussed whether to include the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and a $5,000 stipend in the figure.
The tax collector, who addressed the council during the discussion, said the COLA had historically been part of the position and that removing it would be unfair given her years of service; she also noted the printed figures included her $5,000 stipend. After discussion the council adopted a revised figure that the chair confirmed "including the stipend" and kept the COLA intact.
Why it matters: Annual appointments and compensation levels are routine but politically sensitive because they affect personnel pay equity across departments. The discussion reflected concerns about fairness and consistency with other raises granted this year.
Vote and outcome: The motion, as amended to set the salary to the revised amount including the $5,000 stipend and to preserve the COLA, carried by voice vote with the chair recording an affirmative vote where needed.
Next steps: The council directed staff to incorporate the adopted salary and stipend into payroll and to ensure the public record reflects the change.
