Committee Recommending Raises for Town's Top Officials

Orange's Personnel Committee says three of the town's top officials deserve a raise.

In an attempt to address what local officials say is inequity in compensation compared to similar size towns, the committee will be recommending raises for the first selectman, tax collector and town clerk.

Specific numbers have not been released and likely will not be until the proposal is brought before the Board of Selectmen when it meets on May 8, says Finance Director Al Chiarenzelli.

The current salaries for the officials are as follows:

• First Selectman (Jim Zeoli): $82,043
• Tax Collector (Sandra Pierson): $55,866
• Town Clerk: (Patrick O'Sullivan): $55,866

Chiarenzelli, who sits on the four-member Personnel Committee, says the recommendation to consider a raise was brought forth by O'Sullivan. It was discussed during a meeting on April 15.

As part of that recommendation, O'Sullivan provided a spreadsheet detailing what other first selectman, tax collectors and clerks earn in other municipalities, according to Chiarenzelli. That document was not made available to Patch.

"This has been something that's been hanging fire for a while," Chiarenzelli says.

"There's no question" that raises are in order, he adds. "They're all justified."