The four Springfield Township trustees staged a friendly rebellion of sorts last week, rejecting proposed salary increases for themselves but approving healthy hikes for the three top elected officials.
Serving as a salary review committee, Supervisor Collin Walls, Clerk Nancy Strole and Treasurer Jamie Dubre recommended salary adjustments for themselves and most township office employees for 2004.
At their Thursday, Dec. 11 meeting, the board unanimously approved the proposed increases for office employees, who will generally earn about 3.5 percent more next year. Walls said some higher increases were based on additional job duties or increased certification requirements.
Proposals for pay hikes for elected officials, however, faced some good-natured debate and posturing. Trustee Dean Baker made a motion to approve the recommendations for supervisor, clerk and treasurer but keeping the trustees? salary at the present level ($1,200 annually plus $100 per meeting).
Baker declined to explain his rationale for his motion, saying simply, ‘You wanted a motion.?
The committee proposed an increase of $300 per year for trustees, and Dubre said she expected resistance even with that ‘meager? amount, because ‘Next year is an election year.?
‘I’ll just vote my conscience,? Trustee Dennis Vallad said with a smile.
‘My husband thinks I volunteer,? quipped Trustee Margaret Bloom.
‘The only reason the recommendation for trustees was this low was we knew we wouldn’t get four votes [otherwise],? Walls said.
Walls, who will receive an 11.7 percent increase in 2004, cast the only vote in opposition. He spoke of ‘consensus, not unanimity? in the recommendations.
‘I wrestled with this one for two weeks,? Walls said. ‘The lack of unanimity was primarily [the supervisor’s salary].?
Dubre said she tried to research other townships? salaries, but noted a wide disparity in both salary and job description. Although state statute defines each office, day-to-day operations are handled in various ways in various townships. She, Walls and Strole talked of the many hours put in by trustees and said they deserved better pay.
‘If you look at the vast differences around, we’re looking at a $300 per year difference,? Dubre said. ‘It should be so. It should happen.?
Dubre also defended the big raise for Walls, calling him the equivalent of a CEO for a small company.
‘The supervisor has much more responsibility,? she said, noting his direct authority over the building, assessing and fire departments. ‘In the end the buck stops at the supervisor’s office.?
Pay for the top three offices should be increased, many said, because of the difficulty finding qualified candidates willing to do local government work.
‘I’m afraid it’s not enough,? Trustee David Hopper said. ‘I want to make sure we can get the best candidates out there. We need to be competitive with market conditions.?
Strole said the issue became apparent when a replacement treasurer was needed to succeed the late Lois Stiles.
‘Last year was a wakeup call,? Strole said, as the top two candidates turned down the job when they learned of the salary. ?’They would have had to make financial sacrifices.?
While the motivation for holding public office should be public service, Strole said, ‘We also have to make it somewhat viable so we can attract the kind of people that our township needs. We’re going to need it after Collin and I are gone.?
While agreeing with that assessment, Dubre also offered a caution: ‘Just because you throw more money does not mean you’re going to get a better candidate.?
Walls said his negative vote was based on the amount of his pay increase.
‘I thought it was too high,? Walls said. ‘I am concerned about the message, but the other message is that the wage must be commensurate so people would be willing to serve.?