The city is looking at ways to attract and retain qualified personnel.

By Donald Norton

A study requested by the City of Somerville on the Classification and Compensation for the city’s non-union personnel was presented Monday night to the Board of Alderman Finance Committee and meeting of the whole Board.

The report was sought by the administration to find out what Somerville could do to attract and retain qualified personnel. The Municipal Compensation Advisory Committee was established to come back to the city with recommendations.

The committee was headed by Tom Bent and included members Sandra McGoldrick, Gerald McCue, Phil Ercolini, and Isaac Machado.

Tom Bent started off the meeting giving a brief overview of the process and how they came to their findings and what their recommendations would be. Also discussed was what cities were used to doing compared with Somerville, both in job description and job duties.

The committee hired The Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management from the McCormack Graduate School of policy and Global studies.

Following Tom Bent in explaining the process was Mr. Collins of the Center for Public management. After their presentations, various members of the Board of Alderman asked specific questions regarding what towns were used to and what they were not, and why.

All of the Alderman in attendance praised both the Center and the Advisory members present for the work done. The Chairperson of the Legislative Matters Committee, Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, suggested along with other Aldermen that no vote be taken and to hold another meeting after more data was obtained and reported back to the Board Committee. All of the Aldermen agreed that more time was needed to review the report and to determine if any more questions might be needed.

Click here to view the letter  Mayor Curtatone presented to the Board of Alderman.

A copy of the report is available to download by clicking the link provided here .