To the Editor,

Few residents know that our 24 city councilors and eight School Committee members receive taxpayer-funded compensation plus benefits, indexed to the mayor’s salary.

Even fewer realize that they are looking into giving themselves raises. President Oliver is appointing a commission to study “market rates” and recommend higher salaries for all elected officials, including leadership stipends.

Proponents claim higher pay will improve participation and responsiveness. I disagree. While I appreciate public service, treating these roles as lucrative jobs puts the cart before the horse.

Our city suffers from a persistent lack of competitive elections, with incumbents treating positions as permanent, subsidized posts. Raising salaries won’t attract new, diverse candidates; it will only strengthen career politicians’ grips on their seats.

Councilors wanting full-time compensation ought to first deliver basic accountability, for example enforcing in-person attendance and other performance metrics.

Raises won’t address a culture of indifference. The council’s issues are structural. Our budget process lacks participation, transparent data access, and public inquiries are treated as inconveniences. Recently, I sought information on our Education Stabilization Fund; I received no response.

Having knocked on doors across Newton, I can report that no resident has ever complained that our elected officials make too little. People care about underfunded schools, infrastructure in disrepair, dysfunctional governance, and suffocating red tape.

And countless volunteers keep serving our city’s boards and commissions. As taxpayers facing ever constrained budgets, increasing compensation for elected officials while needs go unmet seems tone-deaf and misguided.

Enrique Rosero
Newton Centre