EASTHAMPTON — In a decision that Councilor Koni Denham called “a huge mistake,” the Easthampton City Council, at its Dec. 4 meeting, voted to approve incremental raises of about $7,500 a year for the mayor’s salary from 2026 to 2029.
The vote came during a public hearing that lasted more than an hour and saw councilors voicing concerns about needing a higher salary for the mayor, especially one who brings in significant grants and such like the current mayor, while also recognizing that the city has considerable budget concerns.
Councilor Thomas Peake, who also serves as chair of the finance subcommittee, brought forth the initial proposal which would have raised the mayor’s salary by $3,000 yearly for the same four years that the finance subcommittee had approved and was a continuation of the previous and current raises.
Councilor Owen Zaret voiced concerns that the proposal, which would have had a maximum salary of $102,000 in January 2029, would be significantly low for a position that is essentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week and public-facing. He noted that the city has worked hard over the last few years to ensure it’s compensating its city employees fairly but that the mayor’s salary falls well below that mark.
“I want to make sure we’re fairly paying the chief executive office,” said Zaret, who added that he had done some calculations and found that a fair salary would be closer to $119,000.
Councilor Brad Riley concurred saying that the salary “almost feels offensive” to him and that people who the mayor oversees make significantly more than her. He added that although he sees Zaret’s calculation as fair, Riley also sees a need to balance a fair salary with the city’s budget concerns.
Councilor Koni Denham countered with a passionate argument raising a multitude of concerns. Denham noted that future mayors may not have the same skillset as current Mayor Nicole LaChappelle and that the town is currently in a budget deficit of more than $1 million.
“We’re not in the financial situation right now to do that,” said Denham.
Denham also claimed that the council didn’t look to increase the yearly raises when the raises would have benefited LaChappelle, a woman, but that they were looking at it now when, according to Denham, a man might be in the position.
Although Riley said, “I don’t think that’s fair. We don’t know who’s running.”
Councilor Tamara Smith supported Denham calling out a “gendered pattern.” She added that while she agrees the salary needs to be higher, the “increases need to be financially prudent.”
When Councilor Salem Derby, vice president of the council and acting president, noted that the superintendent of schools is well above $120,000, Denham reiterated her main concerns in an even more passionate voice.
“I completely disagree,” said Denham. “It’s an elected position. The department heads are advisors. We’re not going to get a CEO [to be the mayor].”
Councilor James “JP” Kwiecinski made a motion for the salary to begin at $100,000 in 2026, increase to $107,500 in 2027 and $112,500 in 2028, and max out at $120,000 in 2029.