HOULTON, Maine — Town councilors earlier this week refused to approve the transfer of $8,775 from a surplus account to replenish the community development budget they cut earlier this month.
Town Manager Butch Asselin confirmed that as a result of the council’s 4-2 vote on Monday evening, Nancy Ketch, the community development director and grant writer, will not get the same salary as negotiated when she was hired in October 2014.
Ketch is a familiar face in the community. She worked 14 years in the local branch office of Maine Revenue Services, has more than 27 years experience as the past director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and is a former Houlton town councilor.
Ketch replaced Lori Weston, who resigned after about three years in the position to take a job in the private sector.
At a meeting on Feb. 9, the council reduced the town’s community development budget from $55,850 to $47,075 when it passed a $10.3 million municipal budget for 2015. The cuts were among several made to departments in an effort to save taxpayers money.
But because Ketch is the only employee in the community development department and her salary represents about 93 percent of the budget, the cut has a significant impact on her.
Asselin asked councilors Monday night to transfer $8,775 from the town’s fund balance into the community development administration account, raising the line item back to $55,850.
The council refused.
“I have been contacted by more people on this one issue this year than on anything else,” Councilor John White said. “I am all for economic development, but you have to draw the line somewhere.”
White said he was against the transfer because taxes were going up and people were struggling to make ends meet. He also noted that Chris Stewart, the public works director, was hired around the same time as Ketch. White pointed out Stewart did not get a salary that was significantly higher than the last director.
Sue Tortello, a Houlton resident, asked councilors to put the money back into the account. She said it was an important issue for the town.
Chairman Wade Hanson said Ketch negotiated her salary before she was hired, and so that was what she expected to receive.
Several councilors noted during the meeting they were not on the council when Ketch was hired, so were not involved with the issue with her salary or the budget.
Councilor Brent Dickison said he supported the transfer, even though he acknowledged it was a lot of money.
“I campaigned on low taxes,” Dickison said. “But I think we just have to put our faith in our town manager.”
Councilors eventually voted 4-2 against transferring the funds, with Dickison and Daniel Peabody opposed.
When she was reached Thursday, Ketch said she preferred not to comment on the matter.