Following extensive deliberation and some internal disagreement, both the City Council and School Committee have voted to provide themselves with substantial pay raises effective next year.
In a recent vote, the City Council approved a measure by a 9-2 margin to raise councillor compensation from $8,000 annually to $14,000 annually—a $6,000 yearly boost beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Only Councillors Brian Hatleberg and Christopher Cataldo opposed the measure.
Hatleberg has consistently opposed such raises, preferring that funds be directed toward other priorities. According to the Record, he stated: “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/7e2eavw.php_26.gif” “I think it’s the wrong move for a broad variety of reasons. I think there are better places for the City to spend its money. The last place I want to spend money is on us. For a number of reasons, I think it’s not the right move and doesn’t make sense. I expressed that at Council and wasn’t able to convince enough of my colleagues.”
Unlike councillors in some neighboring municipalities, Chelsea’s city councillors will continue to lack eligibility for health insurance benefits.
The School Committee approved its own raise by a 6-3 vote, increasing member pay from $5,000 to $7,000 annually—a $2,000 increase. Member Carlos Rodriguez had proposed a $4,000 increase that would have brought salaries to $9,000 per year, but Member Rosemarie Carlisle amended the motion to the $2,000 figure that ultimately passed.
Board Chair Edward Ells and Members Lisa Lineweaver and Angel Meza voted against any increase. Ells noted that the measure required a 2/3 Board vote to pass, and the six votes in favor met that threshold. This increase also takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Neither the Council nor the School Committee has received a pay increase since 2000.
A salary study committee conducted extensive research last year and recommended that the Council receive $14,000 annually and the Committee receive $8,000 annually. Despite these recommendations and thorough discussions, no formal proposal reached either body for a vote, and the matter was shelved in December. The issue resurfaced this spring and both bodies approved increases this month.
The salary study revealed that Chelsea’s councillors earned considerably less than their counterparts in nearby municipalities.
Revere city councillors average $15,748 in salary and also receive $5,760 in expense reimbursements plus City health insurance eligibility. Everett councillors will earn $15,000 in 2014 without reimbursements or health insurance, similar to Chelsea’s arrangement. Malden councillors earn $17,500 with health insurance, while Somerville councillors earn $25,000 plus $3,100 in reimbursements and health insurance benefits.
It should be noted that all these comparison cities operate under an elected mayor system rather than a City Manager form of government like Chelsea’s.