MINOT — The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to increase the pay for highway department employees by $1 an hour and to increase the starting pay for a truck driver position. 

Town Administrator Arlan Saunders said because of the low pay scale, officials have been unable to fill the truck driver position for six months. 

The offer has been raised to $15 an hour from $13 an hour. 

Saunders said that meant they needed to increase the pay of employees, too.

Selectman Lisa Cesare wondered if the Highway Department would be able to absorb the increase in its operating budget.

Saunders said department director Scott Parker is “very good about staying within budget.” 

He estimated the increase would only cost the department between $5,000 and $8,000. 

The board also voted to make the town’s Emergency Management Agency director part of the town administrator duties. 

The past director, Sharon Campbell, left the position in December. 

In other business:

• Selectmen voted unanimously to have Selectman Steve French continue as chairman and Danny Gilpatric as vice chairman.

• New Selectman Brittany Hemond attended her first meeting as a member of the board.served her first meeting as a member of the board.

• Karen Nichols was appointed to the Budget Committee.