Cutting a salary to get a climate resolution passed?

Councilwoman Sabo explained why she voted to cut the salary of the newly elected town clerk at the December 12th meeting this way:"I didn't have the votes and I was trying to get my climate smart initiative passed.." To which Councilwoman Hoffman responded with a loud "What? So you're using something you want to get passed and you're holding that as hostage for something else you want to get passed?...If I felt strongly about something, I'd object to it."

So it is that we might begin to understand why she did not stand up for the new town clerk in the face of the GOP led effort to cut the salary of Town Clerk-elect Janice Kerwin. She obviously didn't care if she was hurting Kerwin financially or whether it was even the right thing to do without any public warning the cut was coming. It wasn't on the agenda and no one at the November meeting could speak for or against it. It remains an act that appears to be retaliation despite the GOP board's assurance it was an effort to bring the salary in line with other towns.

To say there is resentment in the ranks of Democrats who expected more of Councilwoman Sabo would be an understatement. Apparently it's ok to govern by this quid pro quo even though Republican Councilwoman Hoffman said it was never discussed by Councilwoman Sabo. It sure is a big foot in the mouth admission though and one that hurt Janice Kerwin.