Town Administrator Gets New Contract

Selectmen approved a three-year contract for Town Administrator Timothy McInerney Tuesday night, after praising his performance during a meeting at the

Selectman chairman Peter Adams, who has worked with three town administrators during his time on the board, admitted he had been “a doubter’’ at one time about McInerney.

But he said he has changed his mind and called McInerney a hard worker who puts in a lot of time, both in town and at work from home.

“It’s hard to satisfy 18,000 people,’’ said selectman chairman Peter Adams. “There’s 18,000 opinions.’’

The contract calls for a one percent raise on his current salary of $123,600 the first year, which will bring him up to $124,900. That essentially matches the salary earned by former Town Administrator Natalie Lashmit, who was earning $125,000 when she left the job almost four years ago.

McInerney will receive a raise of anywhere between zero and 3.5 percent his second and third years, based on his performance.

He was hired as interim town manager Nov. 10, 2008 and received the full-time position April 7, 2009.

Selectman Brook Padgett said that since McInerney came on board, legal bills have decreased, the budget has been balanced and the bond rating has been stable.

McInerney also made changes to the trash pick-up program and supported the refurbishing of the South Grafton Community House, which Padgett said a previous town administrator wanted to tear down.

Selectman David Ross said that some people have commented that McInerney is not always in his office, but he said that is a good thing. He said he wants McInerney out into the community.

“The town’s been moving forward in the right direction in the last few years,’’ he said.

Selectman John Carlson said he has noticed “an enhanced energy level’’ at the municipal center under McInerney’s leadership. He said that he sat down with McInerney soon after he was elected to the board last year.

“I told him, I want truth, I want transparency, and I have gotten that from him,’’ he said.