Top aides to Walsh getting pay hikes
Eight in line for $10G-plus bump
Top lieutenants for Mayor Martin J. Walsh are seeing massive pay hikes in his new budget — some between $15,000 and $20,000 — with the possibility of higher pay grades for other workers still in play.
The salary bumps are conveniently timed in Walsh’s first budget since being re-elected last year, a fiscal watchdog said.
“It’s convenient that these raises are being dished out only after an election. It’s urban big city politics at its worst,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.
Walsh yesterday submitted his $3.29 billion budget to the City Council, which will hold hearings on it and vote by the end of June. The budget adds 220 new workers and is up 4.3 percent, or $137 million, over the current fiscal year.
Some of that money will go to salary hikes for longtime Walsh workers. Joyce Linehan, Walsh’s chief of policy and a longtime close adviser, is seeing her salary shoot from $144,199 to $160,439, a raise of more than $15,000. Economic Development Chief John Barros, a mayoral opponent of Walsh in 2013 who has since been a close ally, is also getting a $15,000-plus bump, going from $139,050 to $155,426. Chief of Communications Laura Oggeri’s salary is climbing from $125,999 to $145,398, a boost of nearly $20,000.
Other officials also saw big increases. Chief of Education Rahn Dorsey’s salary is climbing from $139,050 to $150,412; Chief of Staff David Sweeney’s pay goes up from $156,990 to $165,453 and Chief of Operations Patrick Brophy’s salary is rising from $142,000 to $150,412. All of those salaries are approved by Walsh and not bound by union steps or grades, or city ordinance.
“Staff performance is reviewed periodically and salary adjustments are provided as deserved,” mayoral spokeswoman Nicole Caravella said.
Other salaries are required by law to stay in certain ranges — but within those ranges, several people are seeing significant bumps. The salary for Corporate Counsel Eugene O’Flaherty, another longtime Walsh appointee, would rise from $154,924 to $165,453 — the top of the range — and Chief Financial Officer Emme Handy’s pay is set to max out her range as well, going from $149,349 to $165,453.
In addition, ISD Commissioner Buddy Christopher would see a hefty hike from $123,600 to $135,371 and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Cook would get a bump from $130,000 to $140,385.
Earlier this year, the city’s Municipal Compensation Advisory Board — a group handpicked by Walsh — recommended increasing those salary ranges by as much as 30 percent. That would require City Council approval after a formal request from Walsh. A spokeswoman said the mayor was still reviewing those recommendations.
But one major employee won’t see any pay bump: Walsh himself. Although during his first term his salary was raised to $199,000, Walsh never took the money and has continued to receive his original compensation of $175,481, which the new budget maintains. The MCAB has recommended a raise to more than $207,000.