In other news, Blanchard said the school budget has been increased from $14.6 million to $14.7 million, an increase of $152,470 over the original increase of $228,183.
PALMER - The Town Council recently approved the requested salary for the combination economic development-town planner position, and additional hours for her assistant.
The council revisited the issue at a recent meeting, after it had tabled a vote to lower the salary by $2,500.
At-large Councilor Paul E. Burns, who previously spoke in favor of paying the requested salary, said the proposal from Town Planner Linda G. Leduc complied with the charter requirement to have an economic development director in a "very economical way."
Leduc, who would assume economic development director duties in addition to planning, provided an $8,600 annual budget for the new position. That figure included $5,500 extra in salary, $2,600 for support staff (four hours), $300 for travel and $200 for memberships and dues.
The council unanimously approved the proposal, which will boost her salary from approximately $55,000 to $61,147 come July 1. Councilor Jason Polonsky said he has no doubt that Leduc "will do a great job" and said he supported her in the new role. Polonsky said he was in favor of withholding some of the salary initially to see how the new position was progressing.
Leduc said she did not think it was possible to move forward with only the $3,000 salary increase, and told the council she put a lot of thought into the proposal that she submitted.
The council, in a 5-2 vote, also approved giving Leduc's assistant an additional four hours a week, to help with the addition of the new position. Councilors Barbara A. Barry and Polonsky cast the dissenting votes. The assistant, who works 19.5 hours now, is set to become full-time in January at 32.5 hours a week. The extra four hours would bring the position to 23.5 hours a week come July.
In other news, Blanchard said the school budget has been increased from $14.6 million to $14.7 million, an increase of $152,470 over the original increase of $228,183. He said that covers the portion of the $192,000 reduction from the school's early retirement program that was not realized.
Superintendent Thomas A. Charko said on Wednesday that four employees are taking advantage of the early retirement option, but because all need to be replaced, only $38,000 in savings was created, not the $192,000 that had been anticipated.
Charko said the School Committee will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the high school to discuss potential budget cuts. Possible cuts include 15 positions, ranging from chorus to several teaching positions.