RICHMOND — Council members will meet during a closed session tonight to discuss the town treasurer’s performance.

A vote on whether to retain Treasurer Gary T. Tedeschi in the part-time position at a higher salary or hourly rate is expected at the next regular council meeting on Dec. 5.

Tedeschi, who also holds the positions of part-time zoning official and deputy building official, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of treasurer 18 months ago. That term expired on Nov. 21 when the new Town Council was sworn in. In 2004, voters approved making the position appointed rather than elective this year. Council members have discussed filling the position by Jan. 1 with an accountant.

Tedeschi, who does not hold an accounting degree, could apply for the job, but last week, he told the council he was not interested in the part-time position unless it came with a salary increase.

“The salary that I earned isn’t enough to accept a temporary position,” Tedeschi told the council on Nov. 21.

Tedeschi said he discussed his position with the prior council but received no definitive answer.

“I’ve kind of been sitting here waiting to see if I have a job,” Tedeschi said, adding he has since applied for other positions.

“If something comes along and I’m kind of unsure about where I stand, I have to take care of my family,” he said. If he accepts a full-time position in another town, he said he would probably resign from the two other positions he holds.

Under the current budget, the treasurer’s salary was split in two six-month terms. Tedeschi would make $16,172, plus benefits, from July 1 through Dec. 31; the salary would be increased to $25,000 from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2007.

Tedeschi asked the council to make the $25,000 salary rate retroactive to the current six-month term.

“If the position is worth $50,000 on Jan. 1, it’s worth $50,000 today — if you believe I’ve done my job,” Tedeschi said. “If the feeling is I can’t fill the position, then why would I want to stay at this rate? It feels like a slap on the face.”

After a pointed discussion that at times crossed into personal issues, Tedeschi agreed to stay on until Dec. 5 under the current terms and conditions, provided he doesn’t receive a better job offer before then.

Two residents stood up in support of Tedeschi, stressing his work ethic, while several town officials sat in the back of the council chambers and gestured to the council not to give the increase to Tedeschi.

Councilman Douglas E. Tuthill asked Tedeschi to work with the new council, which had just been sworn in.

“I’m asking from you a little bit of leeway,” Tuthill said.

“If you are asking us — not knowing you, not knowing about your performance — to raise a rate that is not on the budget, I’m asking for a little bit of time,” he said.