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Council approves firefighter hire, approves modest pay adjustments after debate
Summary
The council approved hiring firefighter Nathan Boring and approved a personnel committee-recommended pay adjustment that moves listed salaried fire positions up by $300 each. The pay discussion included comparisons with neighboring towns, concerns about process and the need for clearer job definitions; two council members recorded abstentions on the hire and the pay motion.
The Gaylord City Council approved hiring Nathan Boring to the Gaylord Fire Department and approved a motion to raise several salaried fire positions modestly.
Fire Chief Justin described the recruitment and testing process for Nathan Boring and asked the council to approve placing Boring on the department payroll on probation; Chief Justin said training costs would not begin until next year. The hire motion passed; the transcript records that two council members abstained on the vote.
The council also debated proposed salary adjustments for salaried fire positions. Chief Justin and personnel-committee members explained the methodology — reviewing hours, local comparisons and how responsibilities are divided — and proposed increases that would bring some positions closer to local peers. Several councilors pushed for a more thorough administrator-led pay study and clearer position definitions; others said the personnel committee and the chief had done appropriate homework.
After discussion the council moved to increase listed salaried positions by $300 each for 2026, with council members noting the increases will be reviewed periodically to avoid large irregular jumps in the future. The motion passed; the transcript records multiple ayes and some abstentions during the vote process.
Chief Justin said the pay changes and hire will take effect for 2026 and the city will continue efforts to clarify roles and review compensation on a regular schedule.
