Should the Franklin Town Council be Paid?

Former Franklin Town Councilor Joel D’Errico believes he has an answer to the dearth of candidates for seats on the town council in recent election cycles. Pay them.

“If the position were paid, there would be no shortage of candidates,” he says. And, implicit in his suggestion, is a hope that more highly qualified candidates would jump in, too.

While Franklin has never paid its municipal legislators, plenty of others do, he notes.

Paying elected municipal legislators in Massachusetts, especially in smaller cities and towns, involves a balance of legal frameworks, fiscal considerations, and community expectations. There does not seem to be a central repository of data on the subject but it appears many or most do not compensate such officials. But many do.

PRO

The pros of paying, can include:

1. Enhanced Accountability and Professionalism: Compensated positions can attract individuals with the time and expertise to dedicate to municipal governance, potentially leading to more effective oversight and decision-making.

2. Broader Representation: Offering salaries may enable individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to serve, promoting inclusivity and reducing barriers for those who cannot afford to volunteer their time.

3. Recognition of Responsibilities: Even in smaller municipalities, elected officials often handle complex issues such as budgeting, infrastructure, and public services. Compensation acknowledges the significance and demands of these roles.

CON

The cons of paying can include:

1. Budgetary Constraints: Allocating funds for salaries can strain limited municipal budgets, potentially diverting resources from essential services.

2. Public Perception: Residents may view compensation for elected officials skeptically, especially if increases occur during economic downturns or without clear justification.

3. Potential for Politicization: Discussions around salaries can become politically charged, leading to further divisions within communities or among officials.

Massachusetts law definitely permits municipalities to compensate elected officials, but with specific guidelines. Under MGL Chapter 39, Section 6A, city councils or equivalent legislative bodies can determine salaries for mayors and council members through ordinances. However, any salary changes cannot take effect during the year they are voted upon and must not occur between the election and qualification of a new council.

Municipalities operating under a home rule charter have some autonomy but must ensure that local ordinances do not conflict with state laws. The Home Rule Amendment provides guidance on the extent of local legislative powers.

Although perhaps not relevant to Franklin, elected officials must adhere to the state's conflict of interest statutes, which, among other provisions, prohibit them from receiving multiple compensations from the given municipality unless specific exceptions apply.

How Much?

Salaries for elected officials vary across Massachusetts, reflecting differences in municipal size, budget, and governance structures. At the high end, Boston City Council members earned $115,000 in 2024, with scheduled increases to $120,000 in 2025 and $125,000 in 2026.

In smaller towns, particularly those governed by Select Boards, compensation is often nominal or nonexistent, reflecting the part-time nature of these roles and budgetary limitations, but there are plenty of exceptions.

For example, among Massachusetts select boards:

Tewksbury (pop. 31,000): As of Fiscal Year 2024, the Select Board Chair receives a salary of $6,000, while each member earns $5,000 annually.

Arlington (pop. 46,000) : Select Board members are compensated at $3,000 per year, with the Chair receiving $3,500.

Grafton (pop. 20,000): Each Selectperson receives a salary of $1,000 per year.

Canton (pop. 24,000) : Board members earn an annual stipend of $1,200, with the Chair receiving $1,600. Additionally, each member is afforded an annual payment for expenses (e.g., telephone) of $600.

Marlborough (pop. 42,000):  Councilors earn an annual stipend of $11.000.

Provincetown (pop. 4,000): As of 2023, the stipend is $2,500 for all Select Board members. A proposal was made to increase the stipend to $5,000 for members and $7,000 for the Chair.

And city or town councilors are also often compensated, for example:

Attleboro (pop. 40,000) City Council annual compensation is provided as a stipend. The stipend for each council member is $14,000, while the president of the council receives an additional $1,000, bringing their total stipend to $15,000.

Beverly (pop. 42,670) City Council members receive $14,000 annually, with the Council President earning $15,000.

Framingham (pop. 72,000) city councilors receive an annual stipend of $5,000, with the chair of the city council receiving an additional $2,500, for a total of $7,500

Taunton (pop. 61,000) Councilors, according to a 2022 report in the Taunton Gazette, “by a razor-thin margin, the Council approved a raise for itself, as well, bumping up each councilor's annual stipend from $10,000 to $16,631, a 66% increase.”

“Franklin’s Town Councilors are truly valuable and should be renumerated for their research and time and agenda preparations,” said D’Errico. And he suggests that a compensation of $5,000 would be about right for 35 meetings assuming around 3.5 hours per meeting plus preparation time.

While Massachusetts law provides a framework for compensating elected municipal legislators, each community must weigh the benefits and drawbacks in the context of its unique circumstances. Transparent decision-making, community engagement, and adherence to legal guidelines are essential in navigating this complex issue.