PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield town councilors approved capital and operating budgets for 1995 on Tuesday night with very little discussion.

There were several comments from two councilors regarding salaries. Harold Perry suggested that three town employees had contributed far and above in their positions, so he recommended a 50 cents-per-hour raise. The three were Mathys Van Dam, recycling coordinator; Esther Temple, finance; and Marie Pennock, administration. “They should be recognized for their extra effort,” said Perry. He said the raises would add $3,120 to the overall budget. His motion was not backed by other councilors.

Council member Everett Connors said he felt the salary scale in Pittsfield is “all out of proportion.” He singled out a $1.50-per-hour raise to the librarian’s salary when other, more veteran employees, are getting 50 cents-per-hour raises. “How can that disparity be explained?” he asked.

Mayor Robert Downs said that after looking at market surveys, the council determined that the librarian’s position and the chief of police’s position were too low in comparison with others in the state. “It’s not a perfect system,” said Downs.

Only one resident, Dale Goode of Stinson Avenue, objected to any portion of the $2 million budget. Goode said he felt the $30,600 cost of replacing and removing an underground diesel fuel tank at the town garage was unnecessary. He said the removal was ill timed and that the contractor who put the tank in the ground should bear the cost of removing it.

Town Manager D. Dwight Dogherty explained that the state Department of Environmental Protection set tank-removal time limits based on type of tank and when the tank was installed. Pittsfield has until Dec. 31, 1995, to remove and replace the tank, he said. “We are complying with the law,” he explained.

The council also approved issuing $1.5 million in bonds to finance the construction of a warehouse in the Industrial Park that will be leased by the town’s largest employer, G.S. Building Systems Inc. Dogherty said that the area will become a tax increment financing district and the taxes on the land and building, along with guaranteed lease payments from GSBS, will pay for the loan.

In addition, the project will provide for 100 to 120 new jobs, 75 percent of which will be offered to Pittsfield residents.

In a related action, the council entered into executive session with Bill Ball of Acheron Engineering to discuss negotiations with an out-of-state specialist. That specialist, said Dogherty, will assist in expediting a wetlands permit for the Industrial Park site. After the session, the council voted to spend up to $20,000 for this specialist.

The council also granted waivers of automatic foreclosure on four properties, and issued a pawnbroker’s permit to Terry L. Kennedy for Mill Pawn Shop.

During the meeting, Deputy Mayor Connors presented plaques to Mayor Downs and Councilor Charles Cianchette who were attending their last council meetings. Neither man ran for reelection last November.