Budget committee recommends 3% pay-matrix increase after split over inflation and competitiveness

The Town of Sanbornton Budget Committee voted on Sept. 15 to recommend a 3% increase to the town's pay matrix after a short debate over whether cost-of-living or competitiveness should guide the adjustment.

Chair Bob Silvia said the Selectboard had approved a 3.5% increase, prompting committee members to weigh whether the committee's role was to "beat inflation or to remain competitive." Paul Stevens asked whether the goal was to outpace inflation or simply to keep salaries comparable with neighboring towns. Selectman Brown argued that "the larger increases given recently were to get the town on par with other towns as many employees were the lowest in the area," framing recent raises as corrective rather than routine.

Ray Masse noted that "the 6% raise was an oddity because that was the first year that employees began contributing to their medical premiums," a point used by some members to question repeating large increases. Denise Backman said she supported a smaller increase: "Denise stated that she would be in favor of a 3% increase."

Dennis Rechcygl made a motion to recommend a 3% increase to the pay matrix; Denise Backman seconded. The committee recorded the vote as 5-1-1 and the motion passed. The tally was: Backman, Rechcygl, Plenge, Silvia and Bodwell — Yes; Brown — No; Stevens — Abstain.

The committee's recommendation differs slightly from the Selectboard's 3.5% approval. The transcript records the discussion under the agenda item "Discussion of FY28 Pay Matrix" but the motion language as recorded refers to the FY27 pay matrix; the committee did not clarify the apparent fiscal-year reference discrepancy during the meeting.