Warren’s town officials are paid substantially less than their counterparts in the East Bay and across the state, according to figures just released by the state. Many of Warren’s department heads — from fire chief to DPW head, finance director to clerk and others — earn $20,000 or more less than officials in similar positions in the neighboring towns of Barrington and Warren. In addition, they also find themselves in the bottom half of the pay-grade statewide, generally falling in 20th to 30th place in salary rankings among the state’s 39 communities. The trend continues in the Bristol Warren Regional School District, where both the business director and superintendent earn less than surrounding towns — they rank 19th and 22nd statewide, as well. The figures were provided by the Rhode Island Department of Revenue’s Division of Municipal Finance. While the salaries listed include longevity pay, they do not include the cost of benefits, such as health insurance and sick time. The survey comes as Warren Town Council members begins discussion next Tuesday night on the town’s 2014-15 municipal budget.

Town manager

Warren’s chief executive, Thomas Gordon, earns $71,595 per year. That’s 29th statewide, and substantially less than Barrington ($136,645) and slightly less than Bristol ($75,500). Tax assessor Cathy Maisano earns $51,070 as Warren’s tax assessor, good enough for 29th place statewide. Her counterparts in Barrington and Bristol earn $73,171 and $63,500, respectively. Building official William Nash is one of Warren’s busiest public officials. He sans $57,595 (26th place statewide) while his peer in Bristol earns $62,800. Barrington’s brings home $79,857. Town Clerk Julie Coelho’s $57,342 salary pales in comparison with Barrington’s ($68,850) and Bristol’s ($74,938). Her pay ranks her 29th statewide in that position. Finance director Michael Abbruzzi recently returned to work for the town after a several-year hiatus. Last year, the position paid $63,829, while in Bristol the salary was $81,350. The salary in Barrington last year was $99,247. Fire chief Chief Alexander Galinelli earned $70,957 last year. That’s less than Bristol ($89,836) and Barrington ($91,963). Nineteen fire chiefs statewide earn more than Chief Galinelli. DPW head John Massed brought home $72,018 last year, good enough for 23rd place statewide. In Barrington, the same position paid $103,986; in Bristol, the pay was $99,809. Town planner Warren Town Planner Caroline Wells does a bit of everything. For her efforts, she earned $53,190 last year, coming in 30th place statewide — the lowest state ranking of any Warren official. Her counterpart in Barrington earned $77,609, while in Bristol the amount was $80,399. Police chief Police Chief Peter Achilli has one of the smaller police forces, overall numbers and per capita-wise, in the East Bay. He earned $80,451 last year, 29th out of the state’s 39 chiefs. Chief Josue Canario of Bristol earned $95,157 (in addition to his pension as the town’s former deputy chief), and Chief John LaCross of Barrington brought home $95,193. School superintendent Though well-compensated at $140,000, superintendent Melinda Thies ranked 22nd statewide for her position. She earned slightly less than her counterpart in Barrigton, $147,500. School business director Likewise, the business manger’s position in Bristol Warren last year paid $104,0505, 19th place. In Barrington, the position paid 124,913. Recreation director Warren’s part-time recreation director earned $8,550 last year (25th statewide). In Barrington, the director earned $25,626 while in Bristol, Walter Burke brought home $67,422. Probate judge Warren’s part-time probate judge was paid $3,000, more than Barrington ($2,500) but less than Bristol ($4,843). Warren ranks 33rd statewide in that position.