Wrentham Council On Aging Discusses Compensation With Selectmen

Members of the town Council on Aging brought a request to increase compensation to senior center employees to the selectmen at their meeting Tuesday night.

Senior center Director Janet Angelico and Council on Aging Treasurer Sarah Graves told the board that the employees had not received a raise since 2008.

Town Administrator William Ketcham introduced the matter to the board.

"The board received a request by the council to increase the hourly rate of its employees and the salary of the one salaried employee," he said. "There are about 30-some employees in town in similar circumstances. I would like the board's indulgence in preparing a report about the compensation situation generally."

Ketcham said the council was also requesting the elimination of an unfilled union position. He said he had discussed the matter with the union president, who objected to the change.

The officials, though, said the position was created to assist the former director of the center, and such assistance is no longer needed.

"This is a position that, over the years, has lost hours," she said. "We felt the work left in the position could be put on other positions very easily."

Board members said the matter would have to be discussed with the town clerical union.

Graves expressed some concern about being left out of such a conversation.

"We don't ever have any say in these things," she said, adding that she feared the council would be shut out.

Selectman Chairman Stephen Langley said the board would engage in discussions with the union, but would try to keep the council in the loop.

"While the position may not be necessary, some of the services it provides are," he said.