Raymond Voter Information Project

Article 19

Employee Compensation Cap

Text of 2011 Town Warrant Article 19

This citizen’s petition warrant article seeks to place a cap on the salary and benefit package for any Town employee. Town Counsel states that a yes vote on this article is binding for the Town Manager compensation package, as this is governed by state statute (RSA 37:10¹). For all other town employees, a yes vote is advisory only.²

A YES vote advises the Board of Selectmen that no employee should receive a salary and benefit package valued at greater than $125,000 per year.

A NO vote leaves compensation decisions up to the Board of Selectmen.

Reasons why some voters might vote yes:

• To instruct the Board of Selectmen to consider a limit on the amount of salary and benefits that any one employee can receive.

Reasons why some voters might vote no:

• Recruitment and retention of qualified candidates may be affected.³
• The article provides no method for adjusting the cap to reflect already contracted salary increases or changes in insurance and other benefit costs not under control of the Town.

References:

1. RSA 37:10 “The town manager shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the selectmen, unless otherwise specifically voted by the town.”
2. RSA 41:8 “... The selectmen shall manage the prudential affairs of the town and perform the duties by law prescribed...”
3. Raymond's current Town Manger has announced his intention to retire in  June 2011.  The financial office reports that his current salary and benefit package exceeds the cap recommended by this article.

Please send questions/comments to editor@raymondvip.org

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