Holyoke Panel Backs $128,000 in raises

Holyoke panel backs $128,000 in raises
Posted by The Republican Newsroom February 14, 2008 18:10PM
By KEN ROSSkross@repub.com
HOLYOKE - Requests for raises totaling $128,384 for non-contractual, non-elected employees and the city's building commissioner received the support last night of the City Council's Finance Subcommittee. But a request for a $5,500 increase to transform a part-time position at Wistariahurst Museum into a full-time city historian was tabled due to questions raised by some subcommittee members. "I'm all in favor of history," City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said. "But ... we have to stay focused on core city services. We just continue to expand and expand." The subcommittee's recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council, which must ultimately approve the salary increases. The council meets on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 536 Dwight St.

The city historian and building commissioner raises were discussed and voted on individually. The subcommittee then voted on $122,384 worth of raises as a whole for this fiscal year, which began July 1. Funding for the raises would come from "free cash," a term used by the state for unused appropriations from a previous fiscal year. Wistariahurst Museum director Melissa D. Boisselle fielded numerous questions about the proposed city historian post. The proposed $5,500 increase would be for the remainder of this fiscal year and ultimately boost the salary for the position from $26,000 to $38,000 per year.

The city historian would work with all city departments to organize the city's vast collection of historic artifacts. The city historian would also conduct research for the city, digitize the city's history collection and make it available on line as well as work with city schools and others to promote and educate the public about Holyoke's history. "The increase in hours will really be a benefit for the city," Boisselle said. "We feel it's a real opportunity." Others agreed. "I think the issue tonight is affordability and I think it's justified," City Council President Joseph M. McGiverin said Wednesday. "I think one of our most important roles is preserving our history," City Councilor James M. Leahy said.

As for the proposed $6,000 raise for the building commissioner, several councilors spoke enthusiastically in favor of raising the salary for the post from $50,751 to $56,751. "He works really hard and he does a good job," Jourdain said, referring to building commissioner Paul Healy. "This guy is going above and beyond," Leahy said. "I think it's well deserved."

As for the $122,384 in raises, they would be for city employees who are not members of a union and serve without contracts. If approved, most of these employees would receive a flat $2,250 raise. But some city employees would receive more. The health director would get a $6,960 raise, boosting salary for the position from $51,684 to $58,644. Mayor Michael J. Sullivan has also proposed raising the salary for the Director of Planning and Development by $5,520 from $66,980 to $72,500. The city would pay $4,195 of the proposed increase, the remaining $1,325 coming from the Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation.