Brentwood Select Board approves several department budgets, sets schedule; discussion continues on rec director hiring

The Brentwood Select Board completed votes on a series of department budgets and procedural schedule changes during its Oct. 21 meeting and continued discussion about hiring a recreation director.

Budget scheduling and procedural items The board agreed to move several budget hearings: insurance to Nov. 4, waste collection and disposal to Nov. 18, and police, animal control and benefits to Dec. 2 so the incoming police chief can review the police budget. The board also agreed to skip the Nov. 25 meeting because it falls during Thanksgiving week; members directed staff to mark that week as a break and, if needed, handle signature logistics outside a public session.

Salary guidance and COLA placeholder Board members discussed a staff email suggesting departments assume a 3% salary increase as a placeholder while the board decides a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). One board member who sent the placeholder email said the number was a temporary estimate pending the board's formal COLA decision; the board reiterated that the placeholder does not guarantee raises for every employee and that level-funding the operating budget overall does not force…