Water Authority Board Boosts Executive Director's Salary by 3 Percent

A 3 percent raise was approved for the executive director of the Bristol County Water Authority last week.

And it’s retroactive to last February -- the end of Pamela Marchand’s first year in the position. She was hired at a salary of $125,000 a year. 

The board of directors approved the raise at its monthly meeting by a 6-2 vote. It bumps up Marchand’s salary to $128,750 a year. Director Georgina McDonald of Bristol was absent.

The two directors to vote against the increase were William Gosselin and Ray Palmieri, both of Warren. Their votes were disclosed in an open session after Marchand’s salary was discussed in a closed session. 

Barrington’s directors are board Chairman Allan Klepper, Robert Allio and Bradford Louison. 

The board actually was considering a 5 percent pay hike for Marchand, who also serves as the water authority’s chief engineer. Palmieri, in particular, was opposed to an increase that he said would pay her more than the governor, who is paid $129,210 annually.