PHILLIPSTON — The town’s building inspector has received a $585-per-quarter stipend for travel, though it’s unclear for how long, and now Phillipston has decided to draft a cellphone/mileage policy to clarify the issue.
The stipend was questioned by selectmen at a recent meeting, but no one could recall such an item being approved by the town.
Ruth French commented that the gas, wiring and electrical inspectors do not submit mileage for their work. The town does not know the building inspector’s mileage or how it is calculated, but it appears the flat sum of $585 has been being paid in addition to his regular salary. The board said regardless of where the inspector lives, mileage should be calculated from his office in Phillipston to the inspection site.
Neither Town Clerk Karin Foley nor selectmen remember the sum being approved at any time in recent memory, whether at town meeting or otherwise.
Tom Specht, co-chairman of the Finance Committee, suggested the town write a general policy with a form spelling out the mileage and amount paid per mile.
The town’s chief administrative assistant and building inspector receive a stipend for use of their cellphones, as well, and it was suggested a policy be drafted for that, too.
No action was taken on the $585 payment, pending the draft of a more formal policy.
A Food and Beverage Policy, addressed in the most recent audit report, will also be drafted.
The audit specified town money can be used under certain circumstances, if approved by the board, such as for water for children participating in a town recreation program, employees attending workshops, police and fire officers conducting searches or the highway department working during an ice storm; firefighters during fires; prisoners when they’re doing work for the town or a special event.
What town funds cannot be used for is holiday parties in Town Hall or birthdays.
The following boards and committees have openings: Cable Adivsory Committee, Historical Commission, Open Space Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, and Energy Committee.
Those interested in serving should call 978-249-6828 or inquire by emailing selectman@phillipston-ma.gov