$135G deal for new Westford town manager

The new town manger starts off with a salary of $ 8k more than the previous T.M.? 48 applicants doesn't say that there was a shortage of applicants does it?
You have to read the extremely generous contract to question all this.
I also take issue with Jefferey's comment about "she'll have fun here"! Ah!, Jeffery's,$135k+ a year to have fun is a arrogant statement to the taxpayers.

How can a town keep costs down if they keep hiring people for more money than the ones who left? These new employees are also in most cases unknown in how they will do with the job.

I have known Jodi Ross for approximately 10 years. She was a very organized Asst. Town Coordinator in Westborough and did a commendable job. In Bolton she was able to step up to the next level and once again she has been impressive with her abilities. She will be an outstanding Town Manager for Westford. You are very lucky to have her!!

Westborough resident wrote:

I have known Jodi Ross for approximately 10 years. She was a very organized Asst. Town Coordinator in Westborough and did a commendable job. In Bolton she was able to step up to the next level and once again she has been impressive with her abilities. She will be an outstanding Town Manager for Westford. You are very lucky to have her!!

Lets understand that i'm not criticizing the choice,but rather how the BoS chose to set a salary and benefit package for a untried commodity.

HuH wrote:

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Lets understand that i'm not criticizing the choice,but rather how the BoS chose to set a salary and benefit package for a untried commodity.

The salary she received is commencerate with other TM's throughout the state. There are built in safegards by the town for her evaluation. Be rest assured Westford will get their monies worth from Ms. Ross.

Ah! Sounds like the old, "i'm from the government,trust me ",cliché.

Westborough resident wrote:

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The salary she received is commencerate with other TM's throughout the state.

I'm sure Ms. Ross will do well, but why does Westford have to match the $$$ other towns are crazy to spend. If every town keeps increasing the amount paid, the town budget will continue to be too costly for taxpayers.

Joey wrote:

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I'm sure Ms. Ross will do well, but why does Westford have to match the $$$ other towns are crazy to spend. If every town keeps increasing the amount paid, the town budget will continue to be too costly for taxpayers.

You get what you pay for....Westford is looking at some tough times ahead, you need someone who is up for the task...you have paid for that type of person and I'm sure you will get your monies worth plus some....

Your assumptions are not logical. I believe you are a town official lurking here,as no town resident would ever accept your dictum of pay me first and I'll show you what i can do.

Joey is right,not very fiscally responsible.
I still wince at the health club membership that was given to Ledoux. Certainly done without the taxpayers in mind.

You have to pay market rate to get an A1 candidate. I wouldn't want someone who would work for less than that. Wouldn't that indicate a problem? It is a big job that would pay more in the private sector. And this is not manipulated by union demands which artificially sets the market. I think the track record of the Selectmen in hiring Ledoux and others has been good. We need to support this new hire.

Please understand that i'm not questioning Ms.Ross qualifications. I am questioning the BoS
thinking. What will be the market rate next year? If it is less,would the salary/benefits be less also?

I don't want to be-labor this as my concerns are
being misconstrued. If you are a Westford resident you should be concerned also with a Town Manager position thats salary/benefits compensation is put before the horse so to speak.

Next year i hope my concerns will be for naught,if not ,oh,well "Westford being Westford".

HuH wrote:

Please understand that i'm not questioning Ms.Ross qualifications. I am questioning the BoS
thinking. What will be the market rate next year? If it is less,would the salary/benefits be less also?
I don't want to be-labor this as my concerns are
being misconstrued. If you are a Westford resident you should be concerned also with a Town Manager position thats salary/benefits compensation is put before the horse so to speak.
Next year i hope my concerns will be for naught,if not ,oh,well "Westford being Westford".

You cannot hire qualified people without paying them the market rate--private sector or public sector. That is why an intense interviewing process is required--to select someone with a track record that indictaes probable success. As long as we are satisfied with that process--and that we aren't hiring the worthless nephew of some pol as is too often the case--then pay the rate. This looks like a good match and a good interview process but you can never be sure when hiring from outside. We were fortunate in naming Bill Olsen as school superintendent and Jim Antonelli as high school principal since they were long term townies and town employees. But when you go outside you have to be careful--but you have to pay for quality.

Interested Observer wrote:

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You cannot hire qualified people without paying them the market rate--private sector or public sector.

You can not compare the salary between private and public as the benefits are not the same. In private sector they do not always pay the new guy more than the one that left. Typically they come in less and if they perform, then they get a boost in pay or a bonus.

I rest my case!!

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_9896522

As a resident myself,i am outraged with all this La,De rhetoric,public be damned attitude, that is spewed in this Town.

St. Marys Cement says it expects to begin the first of three controversial water-pumping tests on or about July 21.

Pumping from wells on the company's proposed quarry site on 11th Concession East at Milburough Line will go from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a maximum of eight days.

General manager John Moroz says St. Marys will respond immediately to any questions or concerns.

"Safeguards are in place as part of the (Environment Ministry) permit to ensure that water quality and quantity will not be impacted. The site will be continually monitored during the testing, and I encourage residents to contact us."

The number is 1-866-602-0080.

Progress reports, including water level graphs for each of the wells and surface monitoring stations, will be posted daily at flamboroughquarry.ca.

Joey wrote:

<quoted text>
You can not compare the salary between private and public as the benefits are not the same. In private sector they do not always pay the new guy more than the one that left. Typically they come in less and if they perform, then they get a boost in pay or a bonus.

People are paid market rate baed on their skill level--we did it all the time when I was working and hiring. we knew that the market would frequently make us pay more for someone with the same experience and skills as the one leaving. That's why we kept our salaries competitive. It seems that this town manager job is one people keep for 4,6 or 7 years and then move on no matter the circumstances. The town poitics of always second guessing what they are making probably adds to that. I believe union contracts hurt a town financially because they aren't based on market, but an talented individual saves you money.