For some, short days in City Hall

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http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/10/18/push-for-pay-raise-casts-spotlight-work-habits-boston-city-councilors/RttvxndsUV8xe9YTQ3MsiM/story.html



For some, short days in City Hall
By Andrew Ryan Globe Staff October 19, 2015

Boston City Councilor Stephen J. Murphy argues that he deserves a raise because he works tirelessly. But Murphy, who owns a condominium in Florida, was absent from Government Center for weeks at a time the last two winters, according to an analysis of his schedule and time-stamped data from City Hall’s executive parking garage.

Councilor Timothy McCarthy’s schedule in his first year in office had golf penciled in for 14 workdays — days on which there is no evidence he ever came to City Hall. McCarthy said he hit the links only six of those days. The Hyde Park councilor took three weeks of vacation during his freshman year and a two-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Israel with colleagues.

Councilor Michael F. Flaherty Jr. earned $100,000 to $200,000 last year as a partner at a law firm while collecting $87,500 as a full-time city councilor. Records show that on many days, Flaherty did not access City Hall’s parking garage until 10:30 a.m. or later and was often gone before 3:30 p.m.

A yearlong push by most councilors to give themselves a substantial pay raise has cast a spotlight on the enduring debate about the workload of the 13-member body. Councilors don’t punch a clock. They have unlimited vacation days.