Worthington authorizes Select Board to designate a member as paid town webmaster after debate on scope

Worthington voters unanimously approved Article 26 authorizing the Select Board to designate one of its members to serve as town webmaster under state ethics law (G.L. c. 268A §21A).

The article was prompted by a recent ethics inquiry after a $2,000 stipend was paid for website and AV work. Charlie, who told the meeting he has performed webmaster and meeting‑AV duties unpaid for years and who accepted a $2,000 stipend in the past, explained the Select Board placed the authorization on the warrant to permit a board member to be designated and — if the board chooses — paid for those duties. Charlie said he tracks roughly eight to ten hours per week doing the work and that $2,000 amounts to less than $5 per hour for that time.

Residents and board members discussed whether the town should broaden the title to include audio‑visual responsibilities and whether the role should be hired as a contractor instead of assigning it to an elected member. Some speakers urged making the town website an official posting location; others warned that making the website an official legal posting place requires reliable, consistently updated staffing.

Select Board members said the article only authorizes the board to make the designation; it does not require the board to appoint a Select Board member as webmaster and does not prevent hiring an outside contractor. The board and residents discussed grant options, staffing, and the workload required to maintain a usable public calendar. After discussion the article passed by voice vote.

Officials said the town's calendar and website have been recently updated and that they will continue the Tuesday select‑board follow‑up on whether to rename the position (suggested names included "web and media coordinator") and whether to formalize website posting rules.