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Town schedules May 12 budget meeting; residents urge transparency as Board of Education begins long-term contract talks with Gilbert School
Summary
Town Manager said the annual budget meeting is set for May 12 at the Gilbert School, where citizens will vote to set the referendum date. A resident warned the Board of Education has begun negotiating a proposed 10-year contract with the Gilbert School that could total $90–$100 million and urged public oversight.
The Town Manager reminded the Board of Selectmen Monday that the annual town budget meeting will be held May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Gilbert School, where the town and the superintendent will present a budget overview and citizens will vote to set a referendum date.
During the public-comment period, a resident identified as Katie told the board the Board of Education has begun negotiations with the Gilbert School on a proposed 10-year contract and urged transparency. “The initial request is for a 10 year contract. This represents 90 to a $100,000,000 over these next 10 years of town taxpayer money,” Katie said during public comment.
Katie said the Board of Education’s negotiating committee lacked minority representation and held the initial sessions across the hall; she expressed concern that many negotiation meetings will be held in executive session. She asked that residents monitor the process because of the contract’s long-term budget impact.
Town officials said the May 12 meeting will include a presentation by the superintendent and the town manager and will establish the referendum schedule; officials did not take action on the Board of Education contract during Monday’s meeting.
The board reminded residents that May 12 is the meeting to hear the budget overview and to determine the referendum timetable.
