In 2009, Town Meeting members discontinued stipends for elected officials, including the Select Board, Planning Board, and town Assessors. But Selectman Stan Mickelson is looking to reinstate those monies.

Currently, the sum of $21,321 for stipends — the exact cost incurred eight years ago — is not on the June Town Meeting agenda, but Mickelson said he could bring up the measure from the floor.

If approved by voters, the officials would receive a yearly stipend as follows: $250 for the Town Moderator; $2,400 for each of the five Select Board members (totaling $12,000); $1,000 for each of the three Town Assessors (totaling $3,000); $525 for each of the five Planning Board members (totaling $2,625); $525 for each of the three Board of Health members (totaling $1,575). The 2009 stipends also included $1,871 for the Town Agent, a position which has since been eliminated.

"I believe it's the right thing to do to attract good, qualified people," said Mickelson at the May 8 Select Board meeting, where it was presented to the Finance Committee for support as well.

Select Board Chair Frank Gracie said the stipends don't serve as actual pay, but more so as reimbursement for office supplies and gas.

"What I did not expect is that I'd actually be losing money doing this job," said Gracie. "They're all small things, but they add up."

"We talk about having to lay people off. I can't agree with this," said Selectwoman Kelli Martin Taglianetti. Her comment followed a conversation about the Town Clerk's request for a $7,000 salary increase and the effects it could have on other town employees.