The pay rate for Salem’s roadmasters will remain the same.

Township auditors Kent Boggs, Tom Grubach and Anthony Mattei voted Tuesday to set full-time roadmaster Ron Martz’s hourly wage at $23.60 for the second consecutive year. His overtime wage will remain at $34.65 for any hour over 40 worked in a week.

Martz’s rate was hiked last year to $23.60 after remaining at $23.10 in 2007 and 2008. He made $22.55 an hour in 2006. When he began the job in 2002, he was paid $23 an hour.

“Times are hard,” said Boggs, who chaired last night’s meeting. “Everybody’s taking a wage freeze or getting laid off, so we just figured (we should keep it the same).”

A couple of residents in attendance Tuesday said they felt the rate should have been cut.

“With the economy the way it is and how many people in Salem Township have probably lost their jobs or taken cuts, I think a reduction is in order and not keeping it the same,” said resident Tom Ridella. “They’re well overpaid compared with the average income of the households in Salem Township.”

Auditors did award Martz two additional vacation days for 2010, which gives him 17 with five that may carry over to 2011. That motion passed by a 2-1 vote, with Mattei casting the negative tally.

The three auditors voted to keep the hourly wage for supervisors Andy Johnson and Bob Zundel, who serve as part-time roadmasters, at $25.30 for the fourth consecutive year. Their hourly rate is slightly higher than the full-time roadmaster because it doesn’t include benefits, holidays, sick days, vacation days or death benefits.

Their overtime wages will remain at $34.65 an hour.

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