Council approves merit pay for department heads and asks staff to develop objective performance measures

The Little Compton Town Council approved merit‑pay recommendations put forward by the town administrator, awarding a 5% payout to most department heads and applying existing contractual exceptions.

Why it mattered: Councilors said that merit pay should be meaningful and objectively measured; staff and the administrator committed to working with a new HR administrator to develop clearer, measurable goals before future payouts.

Town Administrator Anya told the council that, because department heads did not have formal goals set at the start of the year, she recommended a 5% payout for department heads and noted one chief is eligible for a 6% payout under contract. She also referenced a previously approved $5,000 payout for John McName.

Council discussion emphasized restoring objective performance targets. One councilor said prior practice tied merit pay to completing goals; the council asked the administrator to coordinate with department heads and the HR office to make next year's merit pay more measurable.

Council approved the town administrator's merit pay recommendations by voice vote.