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Middlebury selectmen withdraw motion to pay registrar after First Selectwoman says payment would be illegal
Summary
A motion to pay about $500 to Registrar of Voters Francis Barton was withdrawn May 4 after First Selectwoman Mahr said the payment would be illegal without amending the town pay plan and getting Board of Finance approval; the board agreed to refer the matter to the Board of Finance.
Selectman Vance moved May 4 to pay an outstanding invoice to Registrar of Voters Francis Barton, citing past practice, but withdrew the motion after First Selectwoman Mahr said the town lacked legal authority and the funds were not in the budget.
"The motion he made was illegal because for any elected official whose stipend is part of the pay plan to be paid additional funds the Board of Selectmen would first have to amend the pay plan, then there would need to be a corresponding approval from the Board of Finance," First Selectwoman Mahr said, explaining the charter and pay plan determine elected officials' compensation.
Selectman Shaban asked Finance Chair Cipriano whether the town could pay the approximately $500; Mahr answered no, saying the money was not budgeted and that paying from a secondary salary line would be an illegal payment. Selectman Vance argued that "past practice" supported payment, but after discussion he WITHDREW his MOTION.
Members agreed the next steps are to request a transfer from the Board of Finance and to amend the town's pay plan before any one-time payment could be made. Selectman Shaban said he supported sending the item to the Board of Finance to resolve the issue.
No payment was authorized at the meeting; the board did not amend the pay plan or direct the First Selectwoman to make the payment during the session.
