A town councilor wants Barrington to raise the minimum wage paid to some municipal employees.

Jacob Brier said he plans to submit an amendment at the financial town meeting in May, calling for an additional $45,000 to the municipal budget to cover pay increases for some custodians, senior center workers and administrative assistants.

Mr. Brier is calling the motion a move toward raising the minimum wage to $15 for a select group of municipal employees. 

"In order to lead by example, as we have in areas such as protecting our environment and public safety status, I would like to see the voters of Barrington raise our minimum wage to $15 an hour," Mr. Brier wrote in a recent email. "At this pay rate, our town’s workers will be able to earn enough money to cover the cost of basic needs."

Mr. Brier said that there is currently a small group of town employees who earn less than $15 per hour. 

"By adding $45,000 to the municipal budget, we will provide the town manager the ability to recommend and implement a cost of living adjustment that will raise municipal wages so they are no longer below today’s actual costs of living," he wrote.

Mr. Brier said he is not sure whether residents will vote to approve the additional funding at the FTM in May. 

"It was suggested to me that it would be possible to squeeze this wage increase into the budget. Because it is driven by my view of our community’s values, rather than the town’s need for smooth municipal operations, I believe it should be a change that comes from pure democracy, and not be mandated by elected officials or administration," Mr. Brier wrote. "Or, it might be that the motion is voted down in that same manner. Either way, the opportunity to directly voice our opinion and cast our vote on this issue will decide its outcome."

During an interview, Mr. Brier said the potential funding increase would not benefit seasonal employees hired by the town. 

The current minimum wage in Rhode Island is $10.50 per hour. 

Mr. Brier said that approval of his proposed amendment would increase tax bills by an estimated average of approximately $6.75. 

"Is Barrington a town that will choose to invest in its municipal employees, paying them a justified, earned, and livable minimum wage?" wrote Mr. Brier. "Are we a community of people who will set an example for the businesses in our town, the rest of our state, and our nation?

"I believe we are."

Barrington annual Financial Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Barrington High School auditorium.