City Councilors Don't Cut City Councilor Salaries After Proposal

MELROSE, MA — An effort by one City Councilor and backed by another to cut Councilor salaries ahead of fiscal uncertainty didn't muster any more support than that.

Council salaries will remain $5,000 a year. The proposed cut — first at $500 each, then at $687.68 — came from Councilor John Tramontozzi, who has been asking every department head where even the most modest trims can be made during the weeks of FY21 budget deliberations.

"After all, we're all in this together," Tramontozzi told his fellow Councilors while making his case.

Tramontozzi's initial proposal was to cut $7,564.52 from the City Council's salary and wages line in the budget, with $2,064.52 coming from Clerk of Committee Kristen Foote's salary and $5,500 coming from the 11 Councilors — $500 apiece.

Councilor Leila Migliorelli said Foote is a full-time employee of the city, whereas Councilors are not, and they should absorb her cut in any such motion. Tramontozzi agreed and proposed to cut each Councilor's salary by $687.68.

Councilor Robb Stewart pointed out the Councilors' $5,000 salary is already a minimum for them to receive benefits, such as eventual health and retirement. (There was some confusion among Councilors as to what benefits they are actually eligible for right now.)

Councilor Jeff McNaught had the most vocal opposition to the proposal, saying the raises in the City Council's department have been low enough. He recommended a raise for Foote.

"We're not obligated to cut what Councilor Tramontozzi is suggesting," McNaught said. "So taking it out of our own salaries is to appease Councilor Tramontozzi, and I say that with all due respect."

Only Tramontozzi and Councilor Shawn MacMaster voted in favor.

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