By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — William Harmer, the Westport Library’s executive director, is one of the highest paid officials in town, with compensation of $246,125 in fiscal year 2021-22.

It should be noted that “officials” includes an asterisk — although the library is typically funded about 80 percent by the town’s taxpayers and half its trustees are appointed by the Representative Town Meeting — it is run by the Westport Library Association, a nonprofit organization.

As to whether or not it’s a public agency, an independent organization, or something curiously in between, opinions vary.

The highest paid official on Westport’s payroll, inclusive of both town-side and school district employees, is Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice, whose overall compensation was $318,339 in 2022. Two other education officials — Chief Financial Officer Elio Longo at $262,162 and Assistant Supt. Anthony Buono at $248,333 — had larger compensation packages than Harmer.

When compared with town-side list of top wage earners (dominated by first responders and their overtime), Harmer was out-earned only by police Sgt. David Librandi, $294,953; police Cpl. Howard Simpson, $287,519, and police Lt. Sereniti Dobson, $254,503.

(Note: the town and education wage figures are for calendar year 2022; the library’s numbers are from fiscal year 2021-22, July through June.)

The library’s executive director was paid more than the first selectwoman, police chief and fire chief.

Here are the top library salaries, as reported on the Westport Library Association’s Form 990, filed with the IRS:

• Executive Director William Harmer had reportable compensation of $210,384, plus another $35,741 from other compensation or from related organizations, totaling $246,125.

• Melanie Myers, chief of staff, had reportable compensation of $135,568 and other compensation of $32,204, totaling $167,772.

• Nancy Klein, chief of development and marketing communications, had reportable compensation of $136,077 and other compensation of $17,447, totaling $153,524.

• David Bibbey, video producer, had reportable income of $104,889 and other compensation of $30,805, totaling $139,694.

• Natasha Smith, former director of finance and business, had reportable compensation of $126,700, plus $7,995 in other compensation, totaling $134,695.

• Alex Gianni, associate director of program and events, had reportable income of $103,774 and other compensation of $19,667, for a total of $123,441.

• Lynn Perrigo, librarian, had reportable income of $102,093 and other compensation of $10,600, for a total of $112,693.

The library in fiscal year 2021-2022 had a budget of $6.2 million. Of that, $4.8 million came from the town. About half the library’s budget was allocated for salaries.

“The Westport Library plays a valuable role in the community through a unique public-private partnership,” Harmer said in an email to the Westport Journal.

“We receive nearly 80 percent of our operating budget from the town,” he said. “The remaining 20 percent comes from Library fundraising activities including signature events like Booked for the Evening and our annual appeal, as well as commercial operations such as our cafe, store and the commercial use of our space.

“Another thing that sets the Library apart is that we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association, independent of any organization or entity,” Harmer continued. “The Library is governed by an independent 20-member Board of Trustees, 10 of those members are appointed by the Representative Town Meeting.

He noted its 990 form is posted on the library website, along with the its annual report.

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.