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Charlemont board recommends police pay increases, urges contract to require patrol hours
Summary
The Charlemont board voted May 13 to recommend a police chief salary of $82,552.51 and a full-time officer salary of $55,465.95, and urged the Select Board to negotiate a contract that specifies administrative versus patrol hours and sign-in procedures.
The Town of Charlemont's Joint Finance Committee and Select Board voted May 13 to recommend raising the police chief's salary to $82,552.51 and a full-time officer's salary to $55,465.95.
Amy Wales moved the recommendation and Rich Filoramo seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The board noted these figures do not include FICA, retirement or health insurance.
Board members discussed community concern that the police chief has not been visible on patrol. Although the exact number of complaints was not specified, members said there is "a lot of buzz about it around town." Rich Filoramo urged the Select Board to require patrol hours, to draw up a job description and contract that allocates paperwork and patrol time, and to require sign-in procedures for duty to ensure insurance coverage and recordkeeping. Staff will keep dispatch ledgers and follow up on documentation expectations.
Members also reviewed a regional wage and salary study from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) and compared Charlemont to similar towns; Colrain was mentioned as a close comparable. The Select Board was asked to research wage issues further in advance of the next Town Meeting.
Ending: The salary recommendations and any contract language will be finalized by the Select Board and presented at Town Meeting.
