Cushing selectmen approve 3% raise for hourly employees; personnel policy vacation change set for 2016

The Town of Cushing Selectmen voted to approve a 3% pay increase for all hourly employees beginning July 1, 2015, and signed an amended personnel policy that includes an approved vacation change to take effect in 2016.

The motion to approve the pay increase was made by Selectman Daniel Staples and seconded by Selectman Laurie Haynes; the board later recorded the motion as carried with one abstention. Treasurer Lisa Young said the town budget should cover a 3% increase. Chairman Alton Grover expressed concern about giving what he described as a raise outside the regular budget process, saying it “was not fair to the other employees to give a vacation, which is a raise, to one employee and not give a raise to the others.” Selectman Haynes countered that the board is being transparent and the town approved the budget, leaving appropriation decisions to the selectmen.

At the same meeting the board also approved Warrants #23, #24 and #25 and accepted the minutes of the June 8, 2015 meeting as amended. The minutes were accepted with two abstentions (Daniel Staples and Martha Marchut); the warrant approvals were unanimous.

The Selectmen signed the amended Personnel Policy incorporating the vacation change; the board recorded that the vacation amendment will become effective in 2016. The meeting record notes that the board debated whether raises should be discussed at budget time or handled by the selectmen when the funds are available.