Revere council longevity pay not available to other city counterparts

REVERE – When it comes to salaries, City Council members stack up well compared to colleagues in surrounding cities; partly because of longevity pay they receive.Eleven councilors receive $12,500 in base pay plus longevity pay tied to their council service as well as service in a previous city job. They also receive $7,200 in expense money.According to 2008 city payroll records, base pay plus longevity helped Councilor at Large George Colella top the council salary list with his $22,500 paycheck. Colella, a longtime councilor and former mayor, served as council president in 2008.Former Fire Department lieutenant John Correggio earned $22,000 in 2008 and Ira Novoselsky earned $20,500. Council veteran John Powers earned $19,700 and retired police officer Charles Patch earned $19,400.Former mayor and Councilor at Large Robert Haas earned $18,000 in 2008; Councilor Arthur Guinasso earned $16,900; current council president Daniel Rizzo earned $15,400; Councilor at Large Anthony Zambuto earned $15,200 and ward councilors George Rotondo and James Kimmerle earned $14,600 and $14,400 last year.By contrast, Lynn councilors currently earn an average salary of $14,780 and receive a $725 a month stipend. Peabody councilors are paid $7,467 annual salaries plus a $150 a month stipend. Salem councilors earn $8,000 plus a $2,000 stipend. Beginning in 2010, they will earn, under a recent city ordinance change, a $10,000 salary without a stipend.Area councilors are also eligible in some instances for municipal health insurance and pension benefits as well as added pay for assuming the title of council president.