Published in the February 19, 2016 edition

By BOB BURGESS

MELROSE — Police again topped the list of the city’s best compensated employees last year thanks in part to more work details than the eye could see.

As Melrose continues to undergo significant infrastructure rehabilitation, police are needed to keep motorists, pedestrians and particularly work crews safe at construction sites. This upcoming construction season appears to be equally busy.

The Police Department had 28 members on the list of the top 50 wage earners in Melrose in 2015. The information is supplied by City Hall and is based on employees’ W-2 earnings.

One fact important to note is the number of pay periods each year. In 2015, there were 53, rather than the usual 52, which boosts an employee’s earning more than in most years.

In 2015, Lt. James Mulrenan was again the city’s highest compensated employee, making a total of $204,723. That figure is up ever so slightly from the $201,602 he made in the city the year before. His 2015 earnings broke down like this: $122,239.66 in base pay, overtime, sick time, clothing and longevity pay; he made $82,483 working private details here.

While more than half of the top 50 paid city workers were police in 2015, the department had fewer men there than the year before, when 34 members made the list.

Police Sgt. David Mackey supplemented his regular pay, overtime, sick time, clothing and longevity allowances with $90,260 in detail work. Paul Sasso made $89,465 in detail pay and Jon Piasecki earned $79,436 working details.

The city charges private companies a 15 percent administrative fee to process private work details. Details worked by Melrose officers inside the city’s boundaries paid them $2,660,415 in 2015; the city brought in $177,361 for processing those details.

The Melrose School Department placed seven employees on the list of the top 50 wage earners, headed by Supt. of Schools Cyndy Taymore’s $165,571. High school Principal Marianne Farrell was second. Five DPW employees finished in the top 50 wage earners in Melrose in 2015, as did two firefighters, including Chief Chris Leary. Also making the list were Mayor Robert J. Dolan, Auditor Patrick Dello Russo, City Solicitor Robert Van Campen, Health Director Ruth Clay, Human Resources Director Marianne Long, Informational Technology Director Jorge Pazos and Director of Planning and Development Denise Gaffey.

Those 50 alone accounted for over $6.4 million in salaries last year.

An employee’s gross pay includes all stipends he enjoys, any contractual reimbursements, any overtime pay and any money made performing private details.

The fact Melrose is involved in the state’s lucrative Quinn Bill designed to reward police for furthering their law enforcement education helps members of the local department earn their way onto the top 50 list every year. Some younger department members receive less from the Quinn Bill than older ones due to collective bargaining agreements.

The ones who qualify get 25 percent of their base salary added to their compensation each week if they have a master’s degree; 20 percent if they have a bachelor’s degree, and 10 percent extra if they have an associate’s degree.

Certain officers also get extra compensation for working night shifts, weekends and holidays.

All firefighters receive a small amount of money for working at night; some also work private details.