While you have to give credit to the selectmen for asking for a raise - no one else is likely to do it for them - it comes at a bad time.
Just last year the voters were asked to approve a $1 million budget override and this spring we are being asked to approve an almost $4 million subsidy for what is basically a private septic plant. Furthermore, the state budget is once again in the red, which doesn't look good for the town budget when you consider that much of our revenue comes from the state.
It should also be noted that the selectmen get health insurance and retirement benefits. Although they only make $3,000 cash, the benefits easily double that.
I work for a company that failed to make a profit for several years, and during that time I and my coworkers didn't get a raise or a bonus. It wasn't because we didn't deserve it; it was because the company couldn't afford it. That's the way it should be. When money is tight, everyone should be tightening their belts, not asking for more money.
So, I have to admit that I have a hard time going along with this idea. Maybe the selectmen deserve a raise, but this is not the time for it.
[This post also appeared as a letter to the editor in the Friday, February 16, 2007 edition of the Falmouth Enterprise.]
1 comment:
no raise for anyone they are spending their raise on the high school project. every tax payer should be looking into this mis management of funds.
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