I didn’t know our 24 City Councilors and 8 School Committee members receive a yearly stipend plus healthcare benefits until I learned a commission appointed by City Council President Oliver may recommend higher, full-time salaries, alongside leadership pay bumps.
As a Newton resident who canvassed as a volunteer for local campaigns, I heard neighbors care about underfunded schools, potholes, cumbersome and unresponsive municipal government, and capricious permitting with a frustrating maze of red tape. They aren’t worried that our politicians might be paid too little.
Would raises attract better candidates and drive responsiveness?
Our city suffers from a persistent lack of competition in local elections with incumbents holding on for as long as possible. Professionalizing these roles could demand accountability standards, strict in-person attendance, and actual responsiveness to constituents. That way, none could “serve” while living in Portugal or Florida. However, barriers of entry lie elsewhere. Offering higher salaries won’t diversify our candidate pool; it risks entrenching incumbents.
Our government’s challenges responding to constituents are systemic. Residents feel a culture of indifference and inaction, in full display during past crises. City Council insulates itself from public comment and inquiries routinely go unanswered. The budget process lacks transparent data access and public participation.
And where does the gravy end? Why not also compensate area councilors and members of our city’s nearly 50 commissions? Newton values volunteers and civic service. And we need new leadership across the board. We cannot, however, justify increasing the financial burden on taxpayers when our city isn’t providing level services and we face painful cuts year after year.
Residents support charter reform. But before considering raises for elected officials, our local government needs to fix its priorities and first serve the taxpayers who foot the bill.
Enrique Rosero
Newton Centre