Council OKs ‘gas and coffee’ pay bump

City Council voted last week to increase its monthly stipends for the first time in more than two decades, calling the raise little more than gas and coffee money.

The unanimous vote bumps council pay from $150 to $300 per month and the mayor’s stipend from $200 to $400. Rates have remained unchanged since 2004.

Mayor Frank Ritchie said charter review discussions questioned whether the old rate accurately reflected the time the positions require and if it discouraged potential candidates from running.