After a five-year pay freeze, Addison Township officials rewarded their employees a 2 percent pay increase.
‘Michigan is not out of the woods yet, but . . . our employees have stuck it out with us through the thick and thin . . . and remained loyal to us,? said Township Supervisor Bruce Pearson. ‘I believe they should receive an increase of two percent.?
However, Pearson wanted to make it clear that the pay raise does not include elected officials. The supervisor, clerk and treasurer each make a salary of $32,402 and that won’t change.
‘We do not feel at this time it is appropriate for officials to consider an increase. Our salaries will remain at the current level,? he said. ‘We want people to know our employees come first.?
The raises will include clerical staff at township hall along with five full-time firefighters, three paramedics, the fire chief and the fire department’s secretary as well as cemetery workers.
General labor went from $10.20 to $10.40 per hour, skilled labor and sexton went from $12.24 to $12.48 per hour.
Trustee John Boehmer said the employees ‘have done a great job and are deserving of the 2 percent.?
Clerk Pauline Bennett agreed.
‘We have great employees and they really work hard,? she said. ‘They’ve been really dedicated to their jobs and the people of Addison.?
Trustee Linda Gierak said the township was in good financial shape because it banked its surplus funds as opposed to spending them.
‘We;ve got good employees and I think being able to keep them is important,? Gierak said. ‘They have sacrificed a lot over the years to stay with us.?