| I was surprised and unhappy to read about the new Information Technology Director's contract. The starting pay is too high. It is $9,872 more than the former IT director would be making this year ($63,628 compared to $73,500). The job of the Selectmen is to get the best person for the job at the best price. Unfortunately for the taxpayers, that did not happen here. How does the town post a job requiring a bachelor's degree and pay range from $44,096 to low $70,000's, and the person who gets the job doesn't have a degree and walks out of the interview with $73,500? Furthermore, the pay in 2009 will be $77,976. To top off this bad decision, let's give him a company car, too, which adds more to the contract. What is the insurance, gas, and maintenance going to cost for the next three years for this vehicle? That should be tallied on to the pay. The argument about private sector pay is not relevant. If the applicant is looking for private sector money, then he should go to the private sector. I think Selectman Townsend did the right thing. This hire was done too hastily. With all the money the town has, we shouldn't hear about Prop 2 1/2 overrides in the future. Ron Cutler East Longmeadow |
