Bridgewater Finance Committee Recommends Union Contract, Does Not Recommend Town Clerk Salary Increase
Committee members cite school budget concerns in salary decision for elected official
BRIDGEWATER - June 23 - The Bridgewater Finance Committee approved a three-year contract with the United Steel Workers Local 9517, but did not recommend a salary increase for the town clerk during its Monday meeting, with members expressing concerns about the town's financial priorities amid ongoing school budget challenges.
The committee unanimously approved the union contract covering 25 supervisory employees across town departments. The agreement provides a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment over three years and includes a 2.5 percent increase to the top salary step affecting seven employees in fiscal year 2025.
"Our philosophy is that we need to bring forward contracts that are affordable for the community but also reasonable in the marketplace for our employees," said Town Manager Blythe Robinson during the meeting.
The contract represents a shift from past negotiations where the town regularly eliminated a lower salary step and added a new top step, resulting in all members receiving at least one step increase during the life of a contract. HR Director Carolyn Wood explained that once employees reach step 12, they will receive only cost-of-living adjustments rather than additional step increases.
"We were trying to make it clear that there is a max for jobs that is the max that you pay for a position," Wood said. "Once you reach that step 12, you're looking at COLA increases, which has not been our practice in the past."
The agreement also reduces vacation carryover from two weeks to one week annually, decreasing the town's financial liability. The contract adds Juneteenth as a recognized holiday, aligning with state and federal designations. Bargaining unit members have received Juneteenth as a holiday since it was recognized by the Commonwealth in 2020. It is now being incorporated into the body of the collective bargaining agreement.
Committee members approved two related transfer orders totaling $105,933 to fund the union contract and provide cost-of-living adjustments to non-union employees. The transfers draw primarily from the town's one-time stabilization fund, where money for salary negotiations is typically held.
The committee also accepted a $1,500 donation from the Oliari Charitable Foundation to the Bridgewater Public Library for the Flora T. Little Fellowship program.
However, the committee voted 5-0 to not approve the proposed town clerk salary increase, which would have raised the annual salary from an undisclosed current amount to $93,270.Â
Committee member Hayley Bacewicz expressed concerns about the timing of the increase given recent community discussions about school budget challenges, while recognizing the Clerk’s contributions and service to the town.
"After the events of this weekend and the overwhelming outpour that our community has shared, I just don't see in good faith how we could set this through with some of the things coming down the pipeline potentially," Bacewicz said.
Committee member Rigobert Noel echoed similar concerns, referencing the town's financial situation.
"I think as a taxpayer, a taxpayer would probably see this as a smack in the face, like, wait a minute, we don't have enough money to support our teachers and those that are potentially going to get laid off," Noel said.
The town clerk position is elected rather than appointed, making salary decisions the sole responsibility of the Town Council. Robinson explained that the proposed increase reflected the clerk's completion of one year in office and transition from step one to step two on the town's salary scale.
"This town clerk works a 40-hour work week" compared to the previous clerk's 35-hour schedule, Robinson said, explaining part of the salary adjustment.
Committee members requested that the Town Council reconsider the proposal after addressing school budget challenges and intends to send correspondence to the Council outlining its request. The council retains authority to approve the salary increase despite the committee's recommendation.
Wood noted that the current town clerk is at grade 13, step one, having served approximately one year in the elected position. The previous town clerk had reached step nine on the same salary scale after years of service.
The committee's action sends the union contract and transfer orders to the town council for final approval. The steel workers contract follows a similar agreement reached with another union earlier this year, maintaining consistency in the town's negotiation approach.
Robinson emphasized the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with competitive compensation to retain key personnel in specialized positions such as treasurer-collector, assessor, and water and sewer superintendent.
Committee members praised the union's cooperation in accepting changes to traditional practices, particularly the elimination of automatic step increases at the top salary level and reduction in vacation carryover benefits.
The Town Council will consider all approved items at its next meeting, while the denied town clerk salary proposal may return for future consideration based on the committee's recommendation for reconsideration after addressing school budget priorities.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater.
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Disclosure: Bridgewater-Raynham News Co-Founder Matthew Lyford is a member of the Bridgewater Finance Committee.