The Nov. 17 meeting of the Hudson Budget Committee opened with sharp comments from Selectman Dave Morin, who criticized remarks made by Budget Committee member Shawn Jasper regarding a proposed spending increase for the town’s Recreation Department.
The Board of Selectmen had approved a budget proposal that included raises for several employees, including Recreation Director Chrissy Peterson and Jasper had said he didn’t feel it was warranted for what he said was a non-essential department.
Morin, who was wearing a t-shirt that stated “Supporting Non Essential REC Employees” stated, “What a Rec Department does for the community are health and wellness for this town and also for our seniors,” said Morin. “The Rec Director got a raise because the Board of Selectmen thought she deserved it and that she’s done an outstanding job.”
The dispute stemmed from comments made at the Budget Committee’s previous meeting about which town employees were considered “essential” amid concerns over rising costs and property taxes.
“The employees in this town, no matter who they are, are essential,” Morin said. “Our job as Selectmen and your job as a Budget Committee is to make sure the taxpayers get a fair budget. We are not to judge our employees.”
Morin argued that pay raises were necessary to prevent staffing shortages, which have affected several departments in recent years. He called for an apology to the Recreation Department for what he described as “unfair” comments.
Budget Committee Chair James Lawrence acknowledged the difficulty of determining funding levels.
“We have to weigh the benefits to the community and the town as well as the taxpayers. Sometimes that crosses a fine line between certain areas,” said Lawrence. “I’d like to remind every member of this committee that we should treat each and every department head that briefs this committee, and every employee that briefs this committee, with the utmost respect and professionalism.”
Lawrence added that it was “beyond the purview” of the committee to criticize town employees for “their compensation or the performance of their work.”
Jasper denied attacking Peterson or suggesting the Recreation Department should not exist, clarifying that his criticism was directed at the size of the proposed budget increase.
Jasper said, “If you think that a $38,000 pay increase is not something that this board should be concerned about, then I guess I should pack it in and go home.”
“I did not criticize any individual. My criticism was directed at the Board of Selectmen for inputting that kind of large increase. I will stand by my comments that having a Rec Department is not an essential function of town government, though it is a good thing to have and I have supported it over the years,” said Jasper. “Police, fire, and highway are essential. There are a number of other things that are not essential. I did not say that we shouldn’t have a Rec Department, but I will say that it’s unprecedented in this town to give out that kind of increase, whether it’s warranted or not. That’s just not something that has happened and it’s just not something I believe in.”
Jasper also expressed concern about proposing other spending cuts that could “rile feathers.”
“I don’t like the Budget Committee being intimidated to not do our job,” said Committee member Bob Wherry. “If people don’t understand that we have a responsibility to look at numbers, and look at them regardless of who is involved, then they don’t understand that we have a duty to the taxpayer.”
Selectman Xen Vurgaropulos disagreed, insisting that some past comments were “disparaging to employee.”
At Lawrence’s suggestion, the committee agreed to avoid statements that “undercut or undermine an individual’s worth.”
“We’re not concerned about riling feathers,” Lawrence concluded.
