Town Clerk Lynn Medeiros had asked for a nearly 10-percent raise, but with a stagnant tax base, officials said that is too much.

At the May 8 joint meeting, both the Select Board and the Finance Committee struggled to make a recommendation on the item ahead of the June Town Meeting.

Medeiros currently makes $72,900, and was requesting a new salary of $79,900.

"In a town that's projecting no new growth, that is a gigantic increase," said Select Board Chair Frank Gracie. "That would really be a fly in the ointment to have something that dramatic thrown into the budget."

Officials argued that a $7,000 raise — 9.6 percent — is a huge increase over the course of one year, but that Medeiros is underpaid relative to other districts.

Finance Committee officials said the predicted salary for the position is about $87,500. They based that number on elected versus appointed positions, district size, and experience.

Gracie argued that Dartmouth's budget isn't comparable to other districts, as some districts spend more than they intake. "We're the ones with the AAA bond rating," he said.

Officials said the position is the only elected position to make a salary. Appointed positions, including the police department, will receive a 1.25-percent raise in the 2018 budget, officials said. The town expects a 2.5-percent increase in the tax base.

Finance Committee members said it is hard to justify such a raise for a position that currently has no review process. The clerk is a three-year, elected position. Other officials argued that Medeiros' reelection was her review.

Officials also expressed concern on how such a raise would affect other town employees.

While Finance Committee members urged that there should be a review process — also noting that it is not the committee's place to produce details for a review process — Selectman Shawn McDonald countered with the point that a review would be wasted energy.

"How can you evaluate an elected official every year when there's no recourse for a good or bad evaluation?" he asked. "The position should be an appointed position. It needs to be appointed because you don't want any schlub."

Officials commented on the importance on setting a fair rate to attract the best talent, but also noted that for an elected position, job qualifications aren't necessarily considered in the polls.

The Select Board voted to amend the item, giving the position a 1.25-percent raise, which would bring Medeiros' salary to $73,812. Town Meeting members will still have to approve the proposal in June.