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Board restores $30,000 admin assistant line and consolidates assistant‑treasurer stipend into wages
Summary
At its March 24 budget workshop the Board of Finance voted to restore the town administrator assistant line to $30,000 and to fold a $5,150 assistant‑treasurer stipend into the treasurer clerk wage line, after extended discussion about coverage during tax season and the town's staffing needs.
The Board of Finance on March 24 voted to restore the town administrator administrative‑assistant line to $30,000 and to reallocate a $5,150 assistant‑treasurer stipend into the treasurer clerk wage line.
The board's action addressed a split interpretation of the line item: members discovered that the $30,000 previously budgeted had been intended to cover both a roughly $25,000, 20‑hour‑a‑week assistant and a separate roughly $5,150 stipend for web/tax support. Select board members and staff argued the change would provide continuity for an incoming town administrator and avoid leaving office coverage thin during peak tax seasons.
Why it mattered: board members said the town needs a dedicated administrative assistant because the current tax collector, Kate, performs multiple roles (tax collection, website maintenance) and is full‑time in certain months. Staff noted Kate also brings in substantial back tax collections and that the town needs a stable office to onboard a new town administrator.
What the board did: Liz moved to restore the line to $30,000; Bill seconded the motion. The board then voted by roll call with all members present voting yes to reinstate the $30,000 figure.
A related financial adjustment: later in the meeting the board approved a motion to add the assistant treasurer stipend ($5,150) to the treasurer clerk wages (line 109120), raising that line to $58,400, and to delete the separate stipend line. The motion was made and seconded by members and carried by the full board.
Context and next steps: Treasurer staff and the town administrator will implement the changes in the budget spreadsheet and will bring back any needed line‑item notes for the next meeting and for the official budget document. The board asked staff to clarify whether stipends should be rolled into wages generally and to present cost implications for benefit eligibility as staffing choices are finalized.
The board completed both votes as part of a longer workshop that will resume the following evening to address capital items and remaining budget lines.
