Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – Chairman Ralph J. Figy presented a draft ordinance for consideration by the Legislative & Ordinance sub-committee Wednesday that set a raise for the salary of the mayor in Westfield to begin at $120,000, with $5,000 increments on consecutive re-elections, capping the amount at $145,000.
Currently, the mayor’s salary is $100,000. Before being sent to L&O, the matter had been discussed in the Long Range Finance committee, chaired by Robert A. Paul, Sr. and brought out to the whole City Council for input at its meeting on Oct. 18. Paul said at that time considerations should include that the Mayor leads the School Committee and other departments for no compensation, and has no stipends as some mayors in surrounding towns do in their salaries.
Paul gave examples of compensation in other towns, such as West Springfield, which pays $125,000, and Springfield, which pays $135,000 plus other compensation. He said others pay less than $100,000, but those towns have managers. Paul said because of the scope of the position and the scope of the school system and other departments under the mayor’s purview, that $135,000 would be a reasonable base, although the Long-Range Finance committee did not recommend a number. He said any increase wouldn’t go into effect until the new fiscal year.
At the City Council meeting, At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris, who chairs the Personnel Action committee, said she wanted to point out that Mayor Brian P. Sullivan did not ask for the raise, rather it was a motion made by Councilors Paul, Beltrandi and Flaherty. “I don’t want people to get the impression that the sitting Mayor asked for this,” she said.
At-large Councilor Brent B. Bean, II said one reason he signed on to the motion was to keep Westfield competitive. In response to a question, Bean said the last time the salary was raised was in 2008/2009.
At-large Councilor Matthew Emmershy said he understood where Councilors Paul and Bean were going, and said he didn’t disagree. “Other cities aren’t relevant, because you have to be a resident. Has anyone heard of someone who wants to run but said no because of the salary? If so, then let’s raise it,” Emmershy said.
At-large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. said that area salaries didn’t seem to be dependent on population. He said he wondered whether it would make sense to have a base pay, and then a tiered system based on education, experience and longevity as was mentioned.
Back at the L&O meeting, Figy said he based his proposal on the discussion at the City Council meeting, including a base pay and steps for longevity and experience.
At-Large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr.
Morganelli said he thought setting the base pay at $120,000 didn’t take into consideration the experience of the candidate. “I just think it’s too restrictive. I don’t think it’s right to vote on this tonight and refer it to the full council. I’d like to see this remain in committee and get public input,” Morganelli said, adding that the committee had time to decide on it.
Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski, also a member of L&O, said to Morganelli’s point, he did not believe they could pay mayors according to experience. “I know we can’t do that,” he said, adding that he did like the step raises of $5,000 over two years for consecutive re-elections. Onyski also said he did not object to keeping it in committee, to which Figy agreed, both saying that could keep it in until the next meeting.
“I like the steps, too. I did mention at the last meeting that $100,000 for a city of this size is pretty much on point,” Morganelli said, adding that he disagreed with the initial step of a $20,000 increase. He said he would look at it, but asked the committee to take it up again after the holiday season.
Figy agreed to hold the ordinance change until the first of the year. “This is what I took out of the council meeting and put on paper,” he said. “I have no issue with keeping this in committee.
