Hubbardston Select Board Approves $130,000-$150,000 Salary Range for New Town Administrator

HUBBARDSTON — April 6, 2026 — Hubbardston Select Board approved a $130,000-$150,000 salary range for its next permanent town administrator in a 3-1 vote Monday. Kari Sacramone, chair of the Town Administrator Search Committee, presented the recommendation after reviewing comparisons with nearby communities, including Townsend ($30 million budget, advertising $140,000-$180,000) and Berlin ($18 million budget, advertising $150,000-$175,000). Interim Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald, noting the town's current appropriated salary of $115,556 and the absence of post-employment health benefits, said the higher range was necessary to attract experienced candidates capable of managing a multi-million dollar municipal complex renovation and years of financial reconciliation. Member Kris Pareago cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the town's roughly $11.9 million budget left no room to absorb the increase without identified new revenue. The board separately voted unanimously to adopt a permanent truck exclusion for Brigham Street — banning vehicles of 5 tons or greater 24 hours a day, seven days a week — after DPW Director Travis Brown presented the MassDOT-approved order citing road deterioration and pedestrian safety hazards.