Council Member Outlines EMS Hiring and Charter Concerns

"As a courtesy I wanted to share some of my concerns before tonight. I know a few folks have already heard my discomfort.

"I have three issues with the process by which the EMS chief salary is being funded.

1. There is no argument that the Mayor has the authority by the Town Charter to select, hire, and possibly create positions. However, the Town Council has the clear authority to approve salary and the funding source per the Charter § 2.2.5. Salaries and Wages. The mayor decided on a salary and placed this individual on the payroll without any prior approval or vote by this council; in other words a violation of the Charter and the authority of the Town Council. This is the equivalent of first buying a house, and then asking for the bank for a mortgage afterwards. Furthermore, this council has proven it can work professionally and amicably with the Mayor on justifiable needs, and this appointment is totally disrespectful to the Town Council. For the mayor to claim that because we approved a feasibility study, does not in turn mean we inherently approve or agree with the recommendations. The mayor selected the recommendations he wanted to pursue – period. The mayor alerted the council he was ready to make an offer following the background checks which is fine, however, the mayor should have convened a special council meeting or waited until after the council voted to formally hire this individual. There will be other mayoral appointments in the future, and I am opposed to allowing this to become the precedent and habit going forward.
2. Under the Mayor’s plan, EMS will have two salaries of $90K (Donna Best), and $100K (Phil Onofrio) performing the same functions, which previously only needed one administrator. As a result, the fund now needs to increase revenue 21% ($388K) which is unprecedented in Stratford’s history, and requires all ambulances staffed and on the road 24/7, and every call to be a revenue call, which is impossible, since 25% of the calls are for Stratford residents without insurance and the fees are thereby waived. This is another 'Golf Course' case, where we will force a positive EMS Fund Balance into a deficit because of poor fiscal judgment. The Mayor has every opportunity to eliminate one position. At the end of the day, the public does pay for those positions, just like the public is paying the $43K deficit last year and $45K again this year for the Golf Course. Personally, I believe the salary for the EMS should be capped at $93K to be funded by 60% EMS Fund, 40% General Fund. Donna Best is a personnel matter that should be handled by the Mayor.
3. I am frustrated with a pattern of salary increases, while insisting the town is in dire financial condition requiring the loss of jobs and services. Specifically, $8000 for the HR Director, $2000 Town Clerk, and that the town’s contingency accounts have ballooned $1 million dollars since 2010. As the EMS Chief $100K salary will be more than the $97K salary for Police & Fire Chief, can we assume the replacement Fire Chief will need a hefty increase too?

"I hope this gives you some greater understanding of my viewpoint of the issues, and why I can not support this salary."

- Stephanie Philips, Town Council, D-2

§ 2.2.5. Salaries and Wages.

[Amended 11-4-2008]

The Council shall fix the salaries of the Mayor and of all Council or Mayoral appointees. Prior to the first day of July during the year in which the regular election of the Mayor is held, the Council shall approve by ordinance a salary for the Mayor, to be effective with the commencement of the Mayoral term next following the election. The Mayor’s salary shall not be subject to any further interim increase or decrease during said term of office. The Council shall further have the power to approve or disapprove wage and salary schedules recommended by the Mayor for administrative department employees