Committee advances ordinance raising poll worker pay

The Peabody City Council finance committee voted to advertise an ordinance amending the city compensation schedule to raise daily pay for poll workers, approving the motion 5-0.

Councilor Gould read the proposed ordinance amendment and the revised schedule for part-time election positions into the record. The ordinance replaces prior daily rates with new amounts for a set of positions: clerk ($275 daily), deputy clerk ($250 daily), deputy warrant ($250 daily), precinct inspector ($225 daily), warden ($275 daily), tab clerk citywide ($250 daily), precinct assistant ($235 daily), and tab clerk precinct ($75 daily). The ordinance language states it amends Section 18-20, paragraph 15 of the Peabody code; the measure would take effect as provided by law.

No committee members objected during the meeting and the motion to advertise as read carried on a roll-call vote of five yes votes. The clerk's letter requesting the increases was dated May 1 and was supplied to committee members in advance; the clerk, Allison Danforth, was noted in the committee introduction as the requester.

Advertising the ordinance begins the process for a subsequent public reading and vote required by city code for ordinance changes.