At the Annual Town Meeting on May 8 Upton will decide on whether or not to restructure the stipends paid to part-time elected positions. The proposed restructuring will provide a “thank you” stipend of $500 for part-time positions on elected multiple member bodies. Committee chairs on said bodies will be eligible to receive an additional $250.
If Article 11 at the ATM is passed several elected officials who currently do not receive a stipend will receive a “thank you” stipend in fiscal year 2015/16 while other officials will see a large cut in what the Town has been paid them in the past.
Historically the Board of Assessors has filled the role as Town Assessor and each member is compensated $6,208.00 annually. If Article 11 were to pass Board of Assessor Officials are looking at a $5,700 reduction in their annual compensation.
The Board of Assessors is not in favor of the pay restructuring. The reason being is Upton does not have an assessor position.
The Board of Assessors provided the Town with documentation supporting their current stipend as a working board.
On average surrounding towns budget $99,000 for Assessors and staff while Upton budgets $64,000. Upton’s $64,00 budget represents the Board of Assessors current stipends and the salary for one assistant.
Mendon’s budget for one Assessor is $72,000 and Hopedale’s is $94,000 for one Assessor and Assistant. Sutton, Grafton, Bellingham, and Hopkinton budget over $100,000 for an Assessor and supporting office staff.
In response to the Board of Assessors concerns the Board of Selectmen wrote, “All part-time elected officials should receive compensation as a thank you for their service rather than by their position…..There is no practical or equitable way to determine hourly compensation for these officials……. All elected part-time officials provide value to our community through their service”
The Board of Selectmen said they would be interested in discussing with the Board of Assessors a proposal to hire a professional assessor.
UPTON DAILY 