Shenango Township supervisors elected this year will get three times the pay current supervisors get for attending meetings.

The current board of supervisors on Monday approved by a 3-2 vote a resolution that raises the pay of those elected this year and in the future from $25 a meeting to about $78 a meeting for a maximum salary of $1,871 annually. Those presently serving on the five- person board will not see their pay increase.

"I think the raise will bring out more educated and more highly qualified people for the positions of supervisor," said Supervisor Richard Flack, who voted for the pay raise.

Supervisors William F. Williams Sr. and Corrine "Keenie" Mason Harrison also approved the raise.

"I just think it was time we came up with a little more money for the things we do and the things we're expected to do," Williams said.

Two supervisors positions -- Williams' and Ms. Harrison's -- are on the ballot this year.

Williams, who is seeking re-election, said that had no effect on his vote. "Even if I wasn't on the ballot this year, I'd have still voted yes," he said.

Supervisors Larry Robinson and Charles Gilliland voted against the measure.

"I don't think we should increase supervisor salaries the same year we increased the (township's) taxes," said Robinson, chairman of the board.

Robinson said he made about $600 last year at $25 a meeting for 24 meetings.

At that rate, paying five supervisors would cost the township $3,000 a year. Under the new pay scale, it will cost the township $5,542 to pay supervisors for the next two years. That figure will increase in future years when more supervisor positions turn over due to elections. Eventually, when the rate applies to all five supervisors, the township's cost will be $9,355.

The raises will come out of the general fund, Robinson said.

But Williams didn't foresee it as a problem. "$1,800. What's $1,800? $500 doesn't even pay for the gas money we use to go to the meetings."

Last year, supervisors raised property taxes for the first time in 15 years. The nearly 50 percent tax increase raised the tax bill on a home valued at $30,000 from $140 to $210.

In 2001, township voters approved expanding the board from three to five members.