Southborough personnel board approves FY27 pay rates, schedules MGT salary‑study kickoff

The Town of Southborough Personnel Board on June 18 approved the proposed fiscal year 2027 pay rates and moved forward with a contracted salary study by consultant MGT.

Staff member said, “we received the contract back from MGT,” and said Mark would assign the contract and arrange a kickoff meeting for employees and board members. The Chair added she would prefer “someone from the company” to attend in person for the kickoff meeting.

The board conducted a roll call vote on the printed FY27 pay rates; members voted aye and the Chair declared the motion passed. The approved pay rates, as presented in the board packet, will take effect as reflected in the FY27 schedule.

The salary study, the board was told, will analyze pay‑step structures, including whether to add additional steps to address employees who have reached the top of the existing grid. Staff noted the study could shift step boundaries and provide options to address employees “outside the grid.” The staff timeline suggested kickoff could occur either the week after the meeting or shortly after July 4.

During discussion, a committee member moved to give a long‑tenured employee, Leslie, an additional 2% step outside the grid to match a 5% increase others will receive. The mover argued Leslie “shouldn't be held back on getting a raise the same as everybody else,” and staff explained that would be treated as a step “outside the grid.”

However, at least two members stated they would oppose immediate action and preferred waiting for the full salary‑study results to consider broader changes. One committee member said they would vote no to maintain the current system, and the Chair likewise announced a no vote, citing a desire to examine changes once the study is complete. The transcript does not include a final tally or clearly recorded outcome for that specific motion.

The board also discussed administrative items related to personnel records and next steps for distributing the executed contract to relevant staff. The next procedural step indicated by staff was scheduling the study kickoff and circulating the executed contract to board members.

The board did not set a definitive date for the MGT kickoff at the meeting; staff said they would follow up with a meeting notice and invite options for in‑person or virtual participation.