At the Milton Matters Candidates Forum last Saturday, Mike Joyce announced that if elected he would seek to reduce his salary, returning a portion back to the town. The Town Clerk position currently pays over $80,000 a year. In making the statement Mr. Joyce seemed to address head on a concern  raised at the Council on Aging forum regarding his relative experience.

Joyce said it makes no sense for a first-time town clerk to earn the same as James Mullen who had well over 30 years of experience.

The other candidates were split on the proposal. Ms Galvin stated the compensation is appropriate given the 24×7 nature of the clerk’s responsibilities. Ms. McEttrick was open to the idea of a salary adjustment. How such an adjustment would be made is unclear.

The Town Clerk’s salary comes with the position not the individual. It is not like a teacher, say, who enters a school at a salary level determined by education level and experience and then realizes increases based on additional professional development and years in the classroom, etc.

The Milton Matters Forum will be broadcast on MATV, but the schedule has not yet been set. Please stay tuned.