Westport Island approves $244,225 for staff compensation and health insurance after clarity request

The town voted to raise and appropriate $244,225 to cover staff compensation, payroll taxes and employee health insurance following a short but pointed discussion about how health benefits are presented on the warrant. The appropriation, carried as Article 4, includes a $100,000 line for medical insurance intended to cover the town’s three office staff.

Residents asked the select board to clarify whether the $100,000 for insurance is separate from or included in the total compensation figures for each position. A select board member said the $100,000 was put down as a conservative estimate to reflect rising premiums and that the board will consider reformatting future warrant materials to show "total compensation" (salary plus fringe benefits) so voters can better compare positions.

During discussion one attendee noted that with an assessed valuation and the proposed budget, prior calculations suggested a significant mill-rate increase for owners of undeveloped property; the board replied it was working with the assessor on valuation changes and had not finalized the mill rate. The select board also noted it had shopped alternative insurance providers last year and that some quotes carried very high deductibles, reinforcing the board’s decision to budget conservatively for insurance.

The article passed with no recorded roll-call opposition. The board agreed to present clearer compensation breakdowns on future warrant materials so voters see salary and health-insurance figures together rather than separated line items.