By Thane Grauel
WESTPORT — The first selectperson’s position on Tuesday was given a 2.5 percent raise by the Representative Town Meeting.
State statute allows a town’s legislative body, every two years, to make such a salary adjustment, Louis Mall, District 2, told fellow RTM members. He noted the increase is for the position, not an evaluation on the performance of present office-holder, in this case Jennifer Tooker.
The salary will now rise by $4,275, to an annual rate of $154,275.
It was far from the biggest expenditure of the night, but sparked the liveliest debate.
Mall said the Finance Committee of the RTM endorsed the cost-of-living adjustment 5-1, with Noah Hammond, District 4, voting against. The Employee Compensation Committee passed it 5-0, with Jay Keenan, District 2, abstaining.
Richard Lowenstein, District 5, said in his experience, former First Selectwoman Diane Farrell got a 2.5 percent pay raise, and that her successor, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, didn’t receive an increase, and didn’t want one.
“In 2021, the Board of Finance increased the first selectperson’s salary,” Lowenstein said. “That increase was 43 percent. My thinking is, 43 percent, two years ago, is more than adequate to cover the salary of the first selectperson now.”
He said a report comparing the salary for Westport’s top job to neighboring municipalities showed the town’s is not the highest, but not the lowest. He noted there’s never been a shortage of candidates for first selectperson no matter the pay.
Harris Falk, District 2, agreed with Lowenstein’s points. It was Falk’s last meeting after losing re-election, but he did not go gently.
“It’s a little interesting that we waited until after the election to bring this one up,” he said. “I don’t think it would be popular with anyone in the town to go with this. I don’t recommend it.”
“As Dick said, I don’t think anyone runs for office in this town for the pay,” Falk said. “We do it because it’s what you do … It’s a bad look.”
“Let’s not make this political,” said Don O’Day, District 3.
“Our role is … to determine whether or not a salary, in this case it’s for the first selectperson, should be adjusted for inflation,” he said.
‘It’s a little interesting that we waited until after the election to bring this one up. I don’t think it would be popular with anyone in the town to go with this. I don’t recommend it.’
harris falk
“Has there been inflation? Other than the report that we heard this morning at 8:30, there’s been a hell of a lot of inflation,” O’Day said.
Claudia Shaum, District 5, said her cost of living has gone up “way more than this.”
“If you take taxes out of the hard number of this, it’s like three tanks of gas a month,” she said of the salary adjustment.
“This isn’t a merit increase, and this isn’t a performance bonus,” she said. “So, it is different, and it should have nothing to do with whether you like somebody’s politics.
“We as a town expect a lot from our first selectperson,” said Julie Whamond, District 8. “It’s a 24-7 job. If you break down what’s getting paid by the hour and the end of all of it, it’s crazy. Time away from family, phone by your bedside, the police chief calling you at all hours, having to attend every single charity event in town, being away from your family — it’s a lot of work.”
‘Time away from family, phone by your bedside, the police chief calling you at all hours, having to attend every single charity event in town, being away from your family — it’s a lot of work.’
Julie Whamond
“I have a lot of respect for that position, no matter who the person is,” Whamond said.
Falk and Lowenstein voted against. Peter Gold, District 5, and Jay Keenan, District 2, abstained.
Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.
Fact: this is a cost of living increase not a merit raise. Whew. Merit raises not allowed.
Fact: 43% increase two years ago.
Fact: Regarding “three tanks of gas,” the Selectman gets a car allowance.
Fact: yes, it’s 24/7 job but one that is hard-fought to win with open eyes. The person holding the position is not a victim as portrayed by some RTM members.
Facts, not spin.
Also look here: This salary is 61% higher vs the statewide AND nationwide averages for this position.
https://govsalaries.com/salaries/CT/town-of-westport/j/first-selectman
Fact: The Rubber Stamp Tradition continues.
As well as the RTM’s all too common practice of NOT caring to represent how their constituents want them to vote.
That Jay is shocking but true.
I’d have voted for recall over a raise.
I read that it was not a merit raise just a cost of living. How about a lack of merit reduction? I also loved the description of the onerous nature of the job, as if these individuals had their arms twisted to take it.
State ‘accountability’ report: Westport schools slipping reported
Nov 11, 2023 WESTPORT JOURNAL . In case you missed it.
Scarice got a big fat raise and a three year contract despite a bad report card. Madison School District is flying high since he left. Tooker collects a salary,makes promulgations on behalf of the citizens of Westport as though she was king, But as a conservative Christian my views and hers are NOT in alignment. She defers to TEAM Westport to rule the town in her abdication and if you just remove the blindfolds you’ll see where we’re headed. Failing schools, buyers market with 300K price cuts, gardens destroyed to build needless ball fields, higher taxes as admitted by the board of finance, and rising crime.
Job well done.
Not to mention, rainbow sidewalks with 24 hour surveillance while the garbage piles up along the roadsides and parking lots. That’s where I want my money going, not!
Sharon,we should do lunch with MCW @ Nomade. The rainbow sidewalk under protective custody by the WPD is something to which I have raised objection. In her public promulgation ” I and TEAM Westport speak on behalf of all Westporters in this demonstration of our unequivocal support with PRIDE,” she went a step too far. It wasn’t on any ballot I’ve seen. So I have taken it up with Mothers4LIberty Fairfield County Chapter to ascertain what steps can be taken to tar over this graffiti. It’s time to reign in the unbridled power grab of the progressive left and restore harmony. TEAM Westport is just a committee ,not an elected ruling body which as such has enjoyed a 20 year run but it’s time for the curtain to close .
Would love to watch you tar over that walkway. You in handcuffs is the coffee mug we need for the holidays.
Mr.Prince, I’m a partner in one of the world’s largest international law firms, not a multicural graffiti artist who takes vengeance on a brick canvas to espouse his less than inciteful rants. As such, I have reached out to the aforementioned national organization to ascertain what legal actions have already been proven effective in erasing rainbow sidewalks .Individuals havc a right to express their support by hanging a flag on their own front porch. I am not certain of the legal standing the TEAM has undertaken in building a monument to PRIDE which does not represent the ideology of all Westport taxpayers. It will be an interesting challenge which SCOTUS might consider. We shall see.
Meanwhile, ask Santa to bring you a rainbow mug. You will not be seeing me in handcuffs.