The impending compensation survey was highlighted as a crucial agenda item, with the board underscoring its importance for the upcoming session on November 25th. The board expressed the need for full attendance and thorough preparation for the meeting. One member emphasized the significance of the survey, noting, “It’s as important a meeting as we will have had for a while.” To facilitate discussions, the board requested that the vendor, Tracy Andor, provide a concise abstract summarizing the survey’s objectives and data points. This preparation would enable board members to engage in meaningful dialogue during the survey review.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) was a focal point of discussion concerning its historical role in data sharing related to municipal salaries and benefits. The board expressed concerns about the declining participation in voluntary data submission by towns and the lack of comprehensive guidance from the MMA. One member commented on the association’s approach, saying, “They in Ence said oh don’t call us,” highlighting the challenges towns face in obtaining reliable and detailed compensation data. The board acknowledged that while salary data is publicly available, the complexities and inconsistencies in benefits reporting present challenges in making accurate comparisons.

The board deliberated on the advantages of employing an independent contractor to conduct the compensation survey. A member advocated for this approach, citing the ability to compile a comprehensive and cohesive dataset, which would include salaries, benefits, and other factors influencing compensation. This strategy was preferred over relying on fragmented data historically provided by the MMA. A board member remarked, “We’d still have to go to the different end of the Earth to find all this stuff out,” indicating a preference for the thorough analysis expected from an external vendor.

Part of the discussion involved examining the criteria to be used by the vendor in comparing Newbury with similar towns. The board sought assurance that the study would consider variables such as town size, demographics, and governance complexities. A member inquired, “Is there a master list…of those aspects that they examine each and every town?” The expectation is for the vendor to present a transparent list of criteria to ensure a comprehensive understanding of Newbury’s compensation framework relative to similar municipalities.

Aside from the compensation survey, the meeting addressed several personnel changes. Diane reported that Daniel Loro had joined as the assistant town planner, and an assistant town administrator, replacing David Fields, would begin on November 4th. The board welcomed these new additions, noting the experience they bring to their respective roles.

Adjustmentsttention was given to staff turnover, with the resignation of a full-time firefighter, Michael Nean, who left the position shortly after starting. This vacancy, along with a patrolman and a Youth Services librarian role, highlighted ongoing challenges in retaining staff. The board discussed these patterns, noting that some employees appear to view positions as temporary opportunities while seeking other roles, which poses a concern for long-term retention.

In addressing other personnel updates, Diane mentioned the hiring of a part-time shellfish constable from Ipswich, who will work jointly for both communities. This arrangement was seen as beneficial given the constable’s experience.