Date: Fri 10-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Cascella-Ross-Andras-rasies

Full Text:

Cascella Gives His Aides Sizable Raises

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Carole Ross and Jan Andras of the first selectman's office have taken on added

responsibilities since the departure of Human Resources Director Nancy Markey

last month.

Because of that, First Selectman Bob Cascella has given each a raise in pay.

Mrs Ross is now the acting human resources director, receiving about a 33

percent increase in pay, while Mrs Andras has taken added duties in the front

office, pocketing an extra 25 percent in her paycheck.

"We're pinch hitting," Mrs Ross said earlier this week.

At Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting, Gary Fetzer asked if a new human

resources person had been hired to take over in Mrs Markey's absence. Mr

Cascella said the position had not been re-filled, explaining that he planned

to leave that task up to the town's next first selectman, who will take over

in December.

Mr Fetzer said he was surprised on Tuesday to hear of the raises given to Mr

Cascella's staff members.

"There are a lot of strange things that happen during the last months of an

administration," Mr Fetzer said. "You can probably put this into that

category."

The town will save a few bucks, however, as Mrs Markey, Mrs Ross and Mrs

Andras were previously making a total of $91,000 per year. With only two

people in the office, the town is saving $30,000.