Rochester board hopes to increase Town Planner hours

Jan 29, 2020

ROCHESTER — In forming its budget for this year, the Rochester Planning Board voted against paying its members or their chair to increase the Town Planner’s hours. 

The board is currently not paid, but had discussed adding compensation for its Chair, Arnold Johnson, in light of the time he puts into site visits, technical reviews, informal meetings with residents and other duties. It even went so far as to draft a letter of recommendation. 

Gary Florindo, who announced his intention not to run for re-election when his term is up next year, asked if the board on Jan. 28 if it would still think it fair if someone less dedicated than Johnson became chair and was paid more than everyone else for the same amount of work. 

“It won’t hurt my feelings if you pull it off the budget,” Johnson said, of his potential payment. 

Board members also considered seeking a little compensation for everyone on the board, with the chair earning a little more. 

However, Johnson noted that last time the Planning Board tried to do that they got “slammed” and didn’t even make it to Town Meeting. 

The board also brought up that the current Town Planner, working just 23 hours a week, hasn’t been able to properly update the Master Plan or other important long-term documents. 

With a budget deadline looming, they decided to update the space in the budget for the planner’s salary from $34,012 to around $43,000, to allow him to work five extra hours a week, and to check with Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar to be sure there were no obstacles to that decision. 

The matter would also go to Town Meeting for approval.