The Easton Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee argued over a two-year contract extension for Town Administrator David Colton in a joint meeting between the two boards Monday night.
Finance Committee co-chair Carol Nestler contended that it was unethical for Colton to take a pay increase, because he had previously promised not to one in solidarity with union workers in town who did not get raises. It was pointed out at the meeting that the teachers and fire unions were given pay increases.
Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona explained that the board asked Colton to take a pay increase because he had been a finalist for a position in another town and they wanted to give him incentive to stay for another two years.
"We don't take this lightly; the job David has done is exceptional," said Corona citing accomplishments like spearheading the downtown revitalization project and helping Easton to become the only green community in Bristol County during his four years in Easton.
She also pointed out that the search for a town administrator is a complicated and costly process and that she was hoping to avoid that as long a possible.
"Many people in this town who take zero percent increase do exceptional work," said Nestler, who acknowledged that Colton's previous pledge was not a legal commitment but an integrity issue.
"What I get paid is a decision that is reached between me and Board of Selectmen," said Colton, explaining that he made the decision to stay in Easton instead of accepting a new position. "It was a very close whether I would make that decision."
He insisted that he followed through on his promise because he has already signed two contracts without pay increases. "I did not break my word because my signature is on two contracts, no matter how you’d like to frame it."
"What I did not say was that I would remain in Easton for the rest of my life," he said. "The Selectmen decided to offer me an incentive."
The Selectmen all said that they were comfortable with the decision. "If we did this, we'd have David for another two years; if we didn't, we might not," said Selectman Daniel Murphy.
Nestler said that the Board of Selectmen, which has to authority to offer the extension, and the finance committee would have to "agree to disagree. I don’t know how many people in the town have taken a zero, but don’t think people in town will be made comfortable by this."
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