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Should the names and salaries of all town and school employees be published in the town's Annual Report?

The question was raised by Doug Lambert. He displayed town reports from three other NH towns, each of whom published this information. (Mr. Lambert did not know if the three town reports that he cited were representative of what happens throughout the state, or whether they were the exception to the rule.)
NOTE: The budget committee does not have the authority to publish this data. All they can do is send a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting that they consider it.

Facts that all members agreed with:
Detailed salary information is already readily available to members of any town committee and to any taxpaying resident of the town. Taxpayers can file a request for the information at the town offices . Members of town committees can request it directly from the Finance Director, and there have never been any issues or problems with receiving it in a timely manner.

Debate Summary
Several committee members felt there would not be that much additional benefit gained from publishing individual salaries in the town report. Further, any benefit may be offset by damages to morale and employee relations.
Those in favor of this move felt that it was simply a matter of being open and transparent. They felt that it was too intimidating or troublesome for a taxpayer that wants this information to go into the town offices and make the request in person (which would be done by filling out a form and handing it to one of the clerks)

Outcome
Ultimately the question was tabled, with a request that Assistant Town Administrator Debbie Shackett provide the committee with a list of her concerns, and that we request similar input from the school board.

Opinion
It seems fairly clear that this would not be received well by town or school employees, and I think it's easy to understand why. Which of us would be happy if our incomes were posted for all to see?

True, taxpayers are technically the employers and have every right to have this data. (I use the work "technically" because though we ultimately pay the costs, but we don't hire, fire, or supervise). With the rights of being an employer come the responsibilities of being an employer. We need to maintain a balance, with the overall best interest of the town and it's taxpayers in the forefront. So in this case, where is that balance found? Where does the best interest of the town lie?

Total salary expenses for each department are already readily available to everyone (including right here on this site - just go to the 2008 Budget page, then click on the department, and on the budget spreadsheet for that department). And if you're not happy with a combined department salary number, you can head on down to town hall and ask for more detail.

What we're talking about here is listing each individual name within each department, along with their salary, in the town's annual report booklet. The handful of Gilford residents who don't sleep well because they don't know exactly what Jane Doe in the Planning department is making will be spared a trip to town hall.

Is that worth it? Not in my opinion.