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Politics & Government

Board Members Debate Deputy Clerk's Salary

The West Bloomfield Township board rejects Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste's motion to cut the deputy clerk's salary to 'equalize' it with that of the deputy treasurer.

West Bloomfield Township Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy made a public apology to deputy clerk Joe Munem at Monday night’s board meeting at following an intense debate over whether his salary should be cut to equal that of the deputy treasurer.

According to township records, the deputy treasurer earns $59,290 per year, approximately $6,000 less than Munem, who was hired in December and has a salary is $66,617.  

The board voted 5-2 against a motion made by Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste to "equalize" the salaries of the two deputies. Votes to approve were cast by Ureste and Trustee Steven Kaplan.

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Ureste contended that it was her responsibility as a fiduciary of the township to rectify the discrepancy between the deputies’ salaries. Trustee Gene Farber disagreed, saying that the clerk and the treasurer have the discretion to determine their salaries within the given range for the job description.

Treasurer Teri Weingarden said she determined the salary for her deputy, who was hired in 2009, based on a combination of “experience, qualifications, and market conditions.”

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“I find this discussion interesting, given the supervisor’s comment about political statements,” said Trustee Howard Rosenberg. “Since Munem was hired, I’ve heard nothing but complaints (from the supervisor); now you’re looking to cut his salary. There are two positions that are sacrosanct: the deputy clerk and the deputy treasurer.”

According to township Personnel Director Denise Maier, each job level has a salary range, but there is no written policy requiring equal salaries for employees with comparable positions.

“It is within the purview of the department heads to choose the pay grades for their employees,” she said.

Munem was not present at the meeting, which is broadcast on Comcast local channel 15 and aired on CivicCenterTV.com. Shaughnessy’s apology was prompted by a statement made by Ureste regarding the qualifications of the deputy clerk.

“We have a highly qualified deputy treasurer and a not-so-qualified deputy clerk, and a $6,000 discrepancy in salary,” said Ureste.

Shaughnessy publicly said that no employee should have to withstand what was done to Munem. “Welcome to West Bloomfield, Joe,” she said, looking into the camera.

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