More Raises Approved for Top Positions in East Haven

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

EAST HAVEN, CT – It isn’t just the mayor’s position that is slated to get a pay raise in East Haven. The Town Council in addition to approving a $22,000 pay rate increase over the next two years in the mayor’s pay rate, bringing the job pay to just over $109,000, also approved raises for other top level positions in town – including the police and fire chiefs.

The raises were recommended by the mayor. The total boost to next year’s budget to incorporate the raises for the non-union employees will be $29,604. The Town Council approved the raises by a 6-5 vote. The same council also voted 9-2 to approve the $22,000 boost to the mayor’s salary.

Some of the objections to the raises were based on giving a raise to the fire chief, who just started the position, and was already being scheduled a raise. The explanation given was that it was felt it was best to keep the police and fire chief’s position at the same rate of pay.

The fire and police chief currently earn $106,113 annually; under the new agreement the jobs will be paid $109,926.39 – a 3 percent increase.

The deputy police chief and assistant fire chief will be receiving 3 percent pay raises – from the current $91,982 to $94,741.76.

Additionally, the finance director will receive an increase of about 5 percent, from the current $95,252 to $100,014.60. The explanation for the higher raise was that the position had taken on added responsibilities.

The executive administrative management and assistant administrative management positions will receive 3 percent hikes, from $84,050 to $86,571.50.

The town engineer will see a 3 percent increase, from the current $91,830 to $94,584.90.

The superintendent of operations will receive a 3 percent pay hike – from the current $78,787 to $81,150.61.

The executive administrative assistant and administrative assistant positions will also see 3 percent pay hikes – from $48,855 to $50,320.65 and from $44,126 to $45,449.78 respectively.