35 town employees made over $100K last year

Published in the February 17, 2016 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Thirty-five public employees earned six-figure salaries last year according to town documents released to the Villager last week.

According to data supplied by Town Treasurer Christine O’Sullivan and based on employees’ W-2 forms, patrolman Sean Kilroy topped the highest paid employees list with $196,553.41. Town documents revealed Kilroy earned a base salary of $79,042.64 while also earning $63,832.79 in detail pay and $53,677.98 in overtime.

Fire Captain Michael Feinberg, who will become Nahant’s fire chief on Monday, earned the most of any member of the Fire Department last year at $191,575.85, ranking him second overall. Feinberg earned a base salary of $94,720.27 while also earning $65,942.21 in EMS user fees, $29,810.05 in overtime and $1,103.32 in detail pay.

Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay was the third highest town employee last year with an annual salary of $180,046.32. Police Sergeant Sean Donovan was the fourth highest paid employee in town at $176,489,08. Town documents revealed Donovan earned $96,429.68 in base pay, $40,324.96 in overtime and $39,734.44 in detail pay.

Town Administrator Jim Boudreau was the fifth highest paid employee with an annual salary of $170,977. Police Chief David Breen was sixth with an annual salary of $165,831.60.

There were 13 other members of the Police Department who earned six-figure salaries. Salaries for police officers include base pay, overtime, details, holiday and longevity pay, clothing allowances and funds associated with the Quinn Bill. The Quinn Bill is a police career incentive program enacted in 1970 by the State Legislature that encourages police officers in participating municipalities to earn degrees in law enforcement and criminal justice. The educational incentives result in salary increases.

Patrolman Mark Bettencourt was seventh on the list at $160,886.42, which includes $81,175.38 in base pay, $48,651.59 in detail pay and $31,059.45 in overtime. Patrolman Michael Topping was ninth on the list at $143,059.38, which includes $81,586.39 in base pay, $33,084.32 in overtime and $28,388.67 in detail pay. Police Sergeant Louis Trapasso was 10th on the list at $139,153.12. Trapasso earned $93,144.98 in base pay, $44,667.86 in overtime and $1,340.28 in detail pay.

Additionally, Sergeant David Mayerson was 13th on the highest paid employees list at $125,076.43, which includes a base pay of $92,486.63, $32,013.28 in overtime and $216.52 in detail pay. Patrolman Steven O’Connell was 14th on the list at $124,476.08. O’Connell earned $67,176.03 in base pay, $38,152.03 in overtime and $19,148.02 in detail pay.

In addition to Feinberg, there were five members of the Fire Department who earned six-figure salaries. Firefighter Lieutenant James Alexander was the eighth highest paid employee last year at $153,385.27, which includes $76,983.19 in base pay, $55,346.66 in EMS user fees, $20,395.50 in overtime and $659.92 in detail pay. Fire Captain John Walsh was 12th on the list at $129,861.41. Walsh earned $86,223.31 in base pay, $30,776.91 in EMS user fees, $12,426.64 in overtime and $434.55 in detail pay.

Firefighter Lieutenant Kevin Mutti was 18th on the list at $119,230.48, which includes $75,791.81 in base pay, $28,612.47 in EMS user fees, $13,734.58 in overtime and $1,091.62 in detail pay. Fire Chief Mark Tetreault was the 21st highest paid town employee with an annual salary of $115,553.99. Firefighter Richard Ripley was 22nd on the list at $112,146.32, which includes $66,315.53 in base pay, $29,292.86 in EMS user fees, $15,881.01 in overtime and $656.92 in detail pay.

According to town documents, there were nine members of the School Department in addition to Tremblay who earned six-figure salaries. High School Principal Bob Cleary was 11th on the list with an annual salary of $134,039.20. Middle School Principal Stephen Ralston was 15th on the list at $121,809.64. Special Services Director Kara Mauro was 16th on the list with an annual salary of $121,335.65. School Finance Director Tom Geary was 17th on the list at $121,250.96.

Huckleberry Hill School Principal Brian Bemiss was 23rd on the list with annual salary of $111,539.59. Summer Street School physical education teacher and wrestling/girls’ tennis coach Craig Stone was 24th on the list at $110,521.64. Summer Street Principal Jennifer DiBiase was 30th on the top salaries list with an annual salary of $106,373.78. High School Assistant Principal Kevin Cyr was 32nd on the list with an annual salary of $105,261.07. High school guidance counselor and boys’ basketball coach Scott MacKenzie was 35th on the list at $100,484.38.

Department of Public Works Director Andrew Lafferty was 26th on the top salaries list with an annual salary of $109,009.16. Former Town Accountant Julianne McCarthy was 28th on the list at $108,415.16.