A motion to increase the pay of any future incoming elected officials of West Easton was tabled until June of 2017.
Initially proposed by Councilmen Robert Lewis and Paul James last month, it was openly discussed at Monday’s Council meeting.
Currently, West Easton Councilpersons receive $900/yr. The Council President and Mayor receive $1,050/yr. By law, the maximum pay for a borough with a population under 3000 people is limited to $1,875/yr for Councilpersons and $2,500/yr for the Council President and Mayor.
Councilman Henry Nodoline believes an increase might attract others to run for and serve in an elected capacity.
It is a role that most who could do, often don’t want, because it can be a job that makes one subject to making hard decisions on matters that often raise the ire of common scolds within their community. It takes a thick skin to do what is best for all residents, while giving up free time with friends and family because of a commitment to your community.
The main factor in wanting to serve should be that – the desire to serve. The money should be at the bottom of a person’s “Reasons To Serve” list.
That’s not to say, I don’t like money as much as the next person, or paying people what the job is worth for the BS that comes with it. I’m more than willing to consider increasing the pay for future Mayors and Councilpersons to come.
However, I want time to consider what that amount should be and I want to see if this Council, of which I am a member, can make progress in accomplishing the one, most important issue that residents want resolved – Police Protection.
Currently, we are moving forward with getting a part-time police force. There is much to do in achieving that goal, but I hope by June of 2017 we will know if it has a chance of becoming a reality at some point.
Police protection, even that of a part-time force supported by Pennsylvania State Police during “down time” would justify, in my opinion, a vote to increase the pay of the governing body who would have to oversee and be responsible for that police force.
I’m pleased that other members on Council also voted to look at a pay increase again in June of next year, including Mr. James who made the motion to table it. It gives us all time to re-evaluate the worth of Council and do a comparison of pay against other communities our size, rather than arbitrarily pulling an amount out of a hat.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
