Wages for the city of Bradford’s employees were approved on first reading on Nov. 23. The second reading is set for the next City Council meeting.

Wages reflect an increase in various departments.

“It is pretty close to a 2% to 2.5% increase, depending on department, across the board,” City Administrator Chris Lucco stated. “The raises are average for what the state sees for municipal governments. The current fiscal picture allowed for those raises without a tax increase. I feel those employees are entitled to the increase, especially when we are not forced to pass that increase on to the taxpayers.”

Lucco also explained that the four union contracts — fire, police, non-uniformed and Teamsters — have been negotiated within the last two years.

“All the unions have worked well with the city; they gave up substantial concessions in the pension department. The city will see substantial savings long term,” he said.

In regard to the City Fire Department, Fire Chief Eric Taylor will earn $76,852.05. Three captains will earn in the $66,000 range, with the high at $66,709.80 and the low at $66,029.80. Meanwhile, three lieutenants will earn $64,599.80, $64,179.80 and $63,919.80.

There are 12 additional firefighters/paramedics in the department, who will earn salaries between $63,149.80 and $42,835.36.

Police Chief Mike Ward will earn $75,833.85. Four sergeants in the department will earn salaries ranging from $70,221.88 to $68,051.88. One lieutenant in the department will earn $69,891.88.

Patrolmen in the department will earn salaries ranging from $67,291.88 to $43,936.65. The parking enforcement officer earns $15.20 per hour.

In the city’s governing body, the mayor will continue to receive a stipend of $10,000 a year, while the councilmen and city controller will each receive $5,000 a year.

In administration, Lucco will earn $85,073.85. Human resources director Valerie Figula will earn $41,722.335 and fiscal assistant and payroll clerk Elaina Lucco will earn $41,189.50. Four assistants and receptionists will earn salaries ranging from $38,675.97 to $35,189.50.

In the treasurer’s office, City Treasurer Karen Hector’s salary remains the same at $50,400. Two tellers/clerks will be paid $29,189.50.

Chip Comilla, as director of parks, streets and refuse, will earn a total of $76,810.86.

The foreman of the refuse division will earn $23.95 an hour, while others in the department earn from $17.69 to $23.95 an hour. In the streets division, the job foreman will earn $23.89 an hour, while others will earn from $22.14 to $23.89 an hour.

In the parks department, the three employees will earn $19.08 an hour, $22.18 an hour and $23.70 an hour.

Electrician Dan Tyger will earn $48,610.39.

In the property maintenance department, the two officers will each earn $41,602.

The Office of Economic and Community Development is a self-sustaining agency, the wages for which do not come from the city’s tax dollars.

The wages for the OECD for 2022 are as follows: executive director Shane Oschman will earn $82,000; economic & community development & Main Street manager Anita Dolan, $56,247; and Main and Elm streets project coordinator Sarah Matzner, $18.78 an hour.

The second reading for the city’s wages will be part of council’s agenda on Dec. 28.