|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Does Spencer need an updated study about the wages and benefits offered to employees, and if so, how would it be funded?
That was one topic of discussion at the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting – an issue prompted by the town’s difficulty in attracting and retaining people in certain departments.
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges said a new wage and classification study of both union and non-union employees could cost $50,000 to $100,000. He advised that to be effective, it should include information on benefits.
Selectman Ralph Hicks noted the last study was done six years ago and that they are already aware “Spencer is paying less than other communities by and large.” He asked, “Should we spend money on a new report to tell us what we know?”
He said it would be worthwhile to know “exactly how far off we are, how big the gulf is” when compared with similar communities.
Hicks said the larger factor is the town does not pay as much toward health benefits.
The town administrator said the health insurance issue “hurts everybody,” while the hourly salary rate “particularly hurts the highway department,” where there is a problem keeping employees.
Hicks said the town recently lost two firefighters to Providence, Rhode Island.
He said it is understandable when people leave positions because they must think of themselves and their families. However, Hicks added Spencer is becoming a “training ground,” for other towns to benefit from the on-the-job experience and training the employees receive for a year or two before they move on.
“I’m sick of running a revolving door. It is not good for the community,” Hicks said.
Bridges agreed, saying the town needs competitive compensation and “stability drastically helps this town and its personnel.”
The administrator acknowledged that the town currently does not have the funds to implement the results of a wage study or to conduct one. “Those two things go hand in hand.”
Hicks suggested he get information from the state about communities like Millbury, Athol, Webster and Palmer and not from places like Wellesley, Weston, Newton and Sudbury, where they do not have to compete.
For firefighters, Bridges said, Spencer has to compete with towns that offer 24/48 hour shifts—although the community is now on 24-hour shifts, he said.
The department is comprised of one full-time chief and eight firefighters, he said.
Selectman Gary Woodbury said there is nothing wrong with the wage structure and he does not believe that is why people are leaving positions in town.
“It is definitely the health insurance that is the killer,” he said.
The town administrator noted the split is 60/40. To move the ratio 10% would cost $130,000 or $65,000 for every five percent.
Vice Chair Jared Griggs said they need “a comprehensive look” at how the benefits they have compare with other towns to make decisions and “move in the right direction.”
No decision was made on how to proceed.
