Planning Board vice chair Cheryl Crowe. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Some members of the Westfield Planning Board say it’s time for a stipend increase.
Planning Board Vice Chair Cheryl Crowe, serving as chair pro temp during the board’s March 16 meeting, brought up the question of whether the board should seek a stipend increase from the city.
Crowe had sent a communication to members about the request, brought up under new business, and asked for comments. Member Richard Salois said based on the material Crowe shared with members, “It looks like it’s time.”
Crowe then asked long-time Planning Board member Richard McEwan for his thoughts.
Initially reluctant to comment, McEwan said, “It is a stipend, not a paycheck or compensation. To me, a stipend is like a chip or a token of appreciation, it’s not compensation for services rendered.”
McEwan said Crowe had shared a list of Planning Boards from other cities in western Massachusetts, which are all volunteer.
“I totally agree with you that we’re underappreciated. I don’t think Planning Boards are paid for what they’re worth. The intention is for people to volunteer, and the stipend is like a bonus. The way that we all became planning board members is the mayor put our names forward based on character and willingness to serve, and it was confirmed by the city council, probably unanimously in every case because nobody else will do the job, that’s for sure. I think if you increase the pay too much, so it’s worthwhile, then it’s going to be a political patronage job. That’s my feelings on it,” McEwan said.
Crowe said she attends a lot of city council meetings and other committee meetings in Westfield. “I realized how much the planning board is not getting enough for what they do. It’s worth a try to get to what the planning board is really worth…, bringing in businesses and getting things done. The stipend hasn’t increased in many years, and I want to fight for it,” she said.
McEwan said it should be presented in that it hasn’t been done in a long time. He said boards and commissions are separated into two groups, based on what they do, but the work shouldn’t be compared to each other.
“No, I don’t want to do that. Every board has a part to play. There are other boards that deserve it as much as we do. It’s worth a try,” Crowe said, to which several other Planning Board members who were present agreed.
The current city ordinance, No. 1586, relative to the establishment of compensation for members of boards and commissions, was last amended in Jan., 2014. It sets the rate of compensation for members of a board or commission as $750 annually, and for an alternate member as $500 annually.
“Except the members and alternates of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Police Commission, Fire Commission, License Commission, Traffic Commission and Board of Assessors shall receive compensation equal to twice the established rate, and that the individual elected or appointed chair of a board or commission shall receive a compensation 20 percent greater than the established rate,” according to the ordinance.
