Bourne Manager Presents Staffing Needs

BOURNE – As Fiscal Year 2018 budget planning continues, town administrator Tom Guerino recently outlined his priorities for Bourne staffing needs.

Guerino told selectmen that an IT network administrator, an assistant town administrator, assistant town planner and an additional health inspector are the most necessary positions to staff.

For the fire department Guerino said residents should vote to approve the requested salaries of four firefighters, an assistant fire chief, and a “day person” EMS director.

The federal grant which previously paid four firefighter salaries will end in August. While the town administrator said he is not against those positions being filled, he recommended a vote be taken at Town Meeting.

Meanwhile, his recommended funding of an assistant town administrator for approximately $95,000 per year is one which he said selectmen outlined as one of their goals.

The town’s IT department would be bolstered by a $44,000 position which would address additional programming and digital infrastructure concerns.

A town clerk assistant role would cost about $17,425 yearly.

Guerino also said the $49,000 assistant town planner position is a necessity.

“This is a position that has been sorely needed for a long time, and with recent changes in our staffing, we are going to be able to do this with a net for the town,” he said.

Work on the annual budget town-wide remains an ongoing process.