For the second year in a row, Town Administrator Patrice Garvin has opted to waive her 1.5% merit increase and direct it instead to another account.
“I want to thank the board for recognizing my hard work, but I would like to let the [Select Board] know that given the issues with the town in terms of the budgetary constraints, I’d like to waive that merit, have it stay within Salary Reserve and have it go toward police and fire negotiation.”
The merit increase discussion followed a review of Garvin’s performance for the past year. According to Select Board Chair Taylor Yates, Garvin earned an overall rating of 4.75 out of 5.
“I think that is reflective of how much value you add to the town,” Yates told Garvin. “The wheels would fall off if you were not here.”
Speaking generally at the Select Board meeting Monday night, Yates described Garvin as organized, and commended her leadership in the “professionalization of the town’s services.”
Select Board member Carol Berberian noted her “incredible amount of institutional knowledge” and ability to “work through pretty much anything that comes up.” According to Berberian, the more recent wins could be attributed to improved communication and re-engaging in some of the more challenging relationships.
“I think we’ve seen that bring several different things forward and it really demonstrates that constructive change is possible and we’re going to continue to work on it together, “ she said.
Member Matt Taylor added that she handles the challenge of a job that requires the skills of a major private industry with the skills of a local politician.
“Among the universe of town administrators and town managers…I think our town is really lucky and I’m glad to work with you,” he said.
Last September, Garvin asked to redirect her 2% increase to a non-union employee recognition fund administered by the Human Resources director. The increase is the equivalent of $4,681.
