Springfield Township’s fulltime firefighters got some good news just in time for the holidays.
The township board unanimously approved a 13.3 percent pay hike’an increase of about $5,000’for the two firefighters in 2009.
Other township employees received a smaller pay raise, equal to about 3 percent of their current salaries.
‘There is a larger increase for fire personnel and that’s reflective of what firefighters earn in other (municipalities),? said Trustee Denny Valllad. ‘You run a risk of losing trained firefighters if you’re too far out of line on salaries, so I think this wage increase is appropriate.?
Trustee Roger Lamont agreed.
‘Our fire staff, along with the chief, are quick to respond to emergencies and are kind, caring and Johnny-on-the-Spot,? he said, noting his comments were drawn from personal experience. ‘The training and the time to replace them would far exceed the cost of a raise.?
Treasurer Jamie Dubre proposed a 3 percent raise for other township employees and said layoffs have forced remaining staff to shoulder increased responsibility without much compensation in pay during recent years.
For the first time ever, she pointed out, employees were asked to help pay for medical benefits, while township 401(k) contributions were reduced from 7.5 percent to five percent.
‘We still have the same staff so we’re very fortunate? Dubre said. ‘The staff’s knowledge, dedication and hard work has meant a lot to the township offices, and I think they should be recognized in some manner.?
Dubre said she thought the 3 percent raise was ‘not out of line? given the current 4.4 percent rate of inflation.
No raises were proposed or granted to the supervisor, clerk, treasurer or trustees in 2008 and 2009.
In fact, Dubre pointed out, as ‘new hires,? recently elected Supervisor Mike Trout and Clerk Laura Moreau will receive a township 401(k) contribution of only 2.5 percent.
In addition staff pay hikes approved for 2009, the board also agreed to a one time increase to 2008 wages of existing staff.
Employees in the assessing and supervisor’s office will get $4,000; those in the clerk’s office will see $3,000; and the treasurer’s office will see $2,500.
The supervisor, clerk, and treasurer, respectively, will determine how the one-time increases are allocated.