BETHEL — “I just have a problem with the assistant town manager making more than the town manager.” said Lori Swain, of the Bethel selectboard. Town Manager Natalie Andrews replied, “I don’t have a problem with that … Respectfully I’m fine with my contract staying just where it is. I think her longevity in the office and if you look at the added responsibilities I think it warrants that raise.”

Andrews had proposed that the assistant town manager receive, not 3%, but the same increase as other town employees (up to 8.7%, which is the federal recommendation). With the proposed increase, Amy Hanscom’s salary as assistant town manager would be higher than Andrew’s salary as town manager.

Nineteen-year employee Hanscom had most recently been Bethel’s finance director. When Darren Goyette resigned earlier this month, her job as finance director was combined with his town clerk job. Her salary increased $10,000 to her current salary of $70,000 in her new combined role as assistant town manager.

The advertised salary for an assistant town clerk is $36,587 – $38,480. Once that role is filled,  the town will save approximately $4,000, not including the additional savings of one less health care package.

The nearly two hour-long conversation at town office on Feb. 15, took many turns as members weighed the options. About 10 people were in the audience.

Resident Scott Cole noted Hanscom’s raise was not recorded in the minutes of the previous select board meeting.

Outsourcing Hanscom’s job as finance director would have cost the town $125,000 according to Andrews. Eliminating the hiring process was a factor, she said. Additionally, there are few town clerks in the hiring pool. Finally, she noted the words of a resident at the December town meeting who stated the importance of growing talent from within the town.

Referencing four deeds mentioned earlier in the meeting that hadn’t been cleared from 2019, board member Frank Del Duca said, “The taxpayer is looking at this same equation. Are they getting what they are paying their taxes for? And that would be excellence.”  Andrews defended Hanscom saying she had found and brought forth the error.

Board member Patricia McCartney suggested moving the conversation to an executive session. Del Duca, said, “I’d say this is better to discuss this in public.” Scott Cole said an executive session would be illegal.

The board debated how to trim the rest of the budget and think in a forward manner. “Investing in people is a good long-term investment,” said Kelly. “It’s the same increase as everyone else is getting I don’t know if she (Hanscom) should get penalized for taking on a new position.”

“She didn’t get penalized she got a raise for that,” said McCartney.

Cole said, “She [Hanscom] has gone up 10 [thousand] in two months… she’s going to $76,000 if this passes. The question is, she went up 10, isn’t that enough?”

A resident said, “You ask Bethel taxpayers how many of them have had between a 14% and 20% pay increase in the last year … I know it’s hard to find help …”

“Bethel is one of the highest taxed towns in Maine. and that should be taken into consideration,” said a resident. Kelley countered saying “our mil rate is one of the lowest in the area.”

Jim Bennett, budget committee member said  “The 8.7% is this year’s federal recommendation. Last year’s federal recommendation was 6% and we did 4% then we had to go and add 2%. Unfortunately we did that in December. If we’d done that in August we wouldn’t have had so much grief … We need to tell people we’re trying to get ahead of where we fell behind last year.”

After a resident inquired, Andrews said she has talked with Vern Maxfield, Woodstock town manager, about his experience as they consider a move to merit-based salaries.

The increase to taxpayers for all raises will be approximately $70,000.

The vote was unanimous to amend the motion on Andrew’s recommendation to raise the assistant town manager salary to 8.7%. The vote was also unanimous to raise all the town positions up to the recommended 8.7%. The budget committee will receive the recommendation before it heads to town meeting in June.

On Del Duca’s urging the select board will meet at a workshop to decide the town’s priorities.

March 21 and March 23 are the dates the select board plans to meet with the budget committee. Andrews said those dates will be posted.

Other business

Andrews delivered her town manager’s report:

• Asbestos removal by Atlantic Environmental at the Bisbee School started Feb. 23 and will be completed by March 3. Cross Excavation is aware of the timeline.

• Fred Gallant of Maine Department of Environmental Protection will meet with the public the second week of March to talk about the waste water treatment plant.

• There have been no applicants for the wastewater treatment plant superintendent. Municipalities are being forced to hire contract superintendents to fill those positions, Andrews was told by Gallant.

• A wastewater treatment plant operator has been offered a position.

• Several applicants have been received for assistant town clerk position. Two finalists rescinded due to child care costs and one rescinded due to the town not offering healthcare reimbursement.

• Andrews raised a concern of a lack of parking spaces in downtown Bethel raised by Lida Isles.