Council pay up slightly in 2013

The cost of local government, in terms of pay for elected officials in the township, rose slightly in 2013, compared to the previous year.

A report presented at the Jan. 28 Mapleton council meeting included a remuneration summary for all council members last year.

The total cost to local taxpayers came in at $80,032, compared to $78,321 in 2012.

As in most municipalities, the mayor’s costs were the highest among council members. Mayor Bruce Whale received total remuneration of $19,801. That includes a salary of $16,259, about $3,600 more than councillors, who are paid $12,646. In 2012, the mayor’s salary and expenses totaled $19,801.

Whale also had meeting expenses in 2013 of $70, registration fees of $2,218, hotel expenses of $123, mileage and parking fees of $405 and meal expenses of $245.

The expenses of the four councillors are listed below in the following order: salary, meeting per diem fees, convention and seminar per diems, registration, hotel costs, mileage and parking, and meal costs:

- Jim Curry, $12,646, $550, $600, $1,851, $286, $509, $3, for a total of $16,477;

- Mike Downey, $12,646, $1,410, $480, $2,130, $449, $443, $45, for a total of $17,604;

- Neil Driscoll, $12,646, $250, $0, $587, $0, $0, $0, for a total of $13,483; and

- Andy Knetsch, $12,646, $1,670, $240, $791, $123, $205, $20, for a total of $15,695.

Mapleton also has five committees whose members receive remuneration and expenses. The total cost for all six committees in 2013 was $8,230, compared to $11,526 in 2012.

Cemetery committee members Jean Campbell and Kathryn Fowler were paid $100 each for attending meetings.

Meeting pay for committee of adjustment and property standards members was: Kathleen Ayres, $700; Floyd Schieck, $630; Carl Israel, $700 and Peg Schieck, $700.

Maryborough housing board members received the following amounts for attending meetings Vaughn Doig, $500; Sandy Vallance, $500; Lois Donaldson, $550 and Virginia Franklin, $600.

The parks and recreation committee has six members, who received the following remuneration in 2013: Dave Geddes, $250; Peg Schieck, $300; Carla Schott, $300; Lorrie Spaling, $400; Dennis Craven, $250 and Kelly Culp, $150.