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Date: 3/7/2023
EASTHAMPTON — At its Feb. 21 meeting, the Easthampton City Council’s ordinances committee moved forward with several adjustments to the salaries and pay scales of city employees. These adjustments will be brought to public hearing at the March 15 City Council meeting.
The committee agreed to a change in the Pay Plan pay scale that would remove the first four steps on each line and add it to the end, a move that would allow the city’s longest employees to be rewarded for their longevity. It also agreed to change the step increase pay raise from 2.5 percent to 3 percent which would put the salaries more in line with what other communities are offering.
Emily Russo, the city’s human resources director, explained that the city hasn’t been able to catch up salary wise and that many people who work for the city have maxed out the pay scale.
The moves also included adjustments to the position of veterans agent. Currently, the role is split with South Hadley and paid for by veterans agencies, not the city. For fiscal year 2024, the position will be solely for the city of Easthampton and funded by the city at grade F on the pay scale.
Michael Slater, the current veterans agent, explained that the role will expand to include 25 hours of work in the city, assisting veterans with issues like applications to the veterans agency and different resources that are available. He noted that the position really requires more than the time that is allotted for it now.
“Mike has shown us the potential for the position,” said Mayor Nicole LaChapelle.
The Planning Department also made several moves to its staff to better reflect the needs and growth of the department. Among them are creating the position of associate planner and changing the title of assistant planner to senior planner. In addition, the department will also have an arts and culture program director to oversee the arts and culture programs of the city.
City Planner Jeffrey Bagg explained that these changes do not really add staff but are more about the evolution of the department and encouraging its employees to stay through career advancement opportunities. Some of the positions will also allow the department to seek out more fundraising and grant opportunities that will allow the city to offer more programs.
The committee also moved four department heads from grade F to grade G on the pay scale. Russo explained that because these department heads oversee staff she has felt they haven’t been on the right pay grade for some time. The positions affected are those of council on aging director, executive assistant to the mayor, principal assessor, and city clerk.
The committee also voted to move forward with removing several positions from the rolls that are no longer necessary or have moved to union positions, including a part-time dispatcher and clerical positions.