For the third time in three Town Meetings, representatives will be asked to approve an increase to Town Clerk's Ellen Cushman.

But unlike the two previous attempts – in which the increase was defeated or amended to a much lower rate – a process in determining just how much Cushman is "worth" to the town and its residents is being completed by the town's Human Resources Department. 

And by all indications from Diane Crimmins, Belmont's HR director, the town should be compensating Cushman's position at five pay grades greater than her current level.

"Within the town administrator's recommended budget ... there will be a line item consistent with a pay grade 18 level that will be recommended by the human resources department," said Selectmen Mark Paolillo, who back in April called for a new process for determining the proper pay classification for full-time-elected positions, such as the Town Clerk.

Cushman currently earns $62,400, approved by last year's Town Meeting, consistent with a salary in the pay grade 13 range. 

Under the town's “Position Classification and Compensation Plan for Management Level 18” the minimum for the position is $69,711; with a midpoint of $83,654;

The final salary amount has yet to be determined. 

The reason for the bump up in salary class is not about pay, according to both the selectmen, who requested the study, and Cushman. It is, they contend, about placing the position in with town clerks who provide the same level of services in similar-sized municipalities.

According to research provided by the town, under that criteria, the Belmont town clerk compensation should be set in the higher pay grade. 

"This is a classification issue," said Paolillo. "And (the town has) had a reasoned approach in coming to this number."

"I'm not looking to overpay anyone. I'm just looking to pay them what they are entitled to," said Paolillo.

As for a possible repeat of the debate on how much to pay the town clerk, Paolillo is ready for that discussion.

"I expect there will be debate and I welcome it. And I expect we will have a different view from the Warrant Committee," he said.

"I believe we can defend the process." 

Last year, Town Meeting voted 127-110 to accept an amendment by the Warrant Committee to increase Cushman's $60,000 salary by 4 percent or by $2,400. 

The vote defeated a move approved by a majority of the Board of Selectmen that would have increased Cushman's salary to $72,499 or a 21 percent jump. 

It was the second time Town Meeting refused to increase Cushman's pay to what supporters consider a more appropriate pay level for, who even opponents recognize, a very popular and hard-working town employee. 

This is not the first time the town has attempted to classify both the town clerk and treasurer.

In 2002, the town hired consultant DMG Maximus to perform a job classification and compensation study. Mel Kleckner, who was Belmont’s town administrator at the time, asked the consultant to perform the same evaluation and classification for the town clerk and town treasurer positions.

In March 2003, Kleckner wrote a letter to the selectmen that stated the consultant determined the job duties and responsibilities of both elected positions are similar with management positions assigned at Grade 18.