Select Board Tables Cost-of-Living Adjustment Policy After Lengthy Debate

The Brentwood Select Board on Sept. 2 debated two proposals for an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for town employees and ultimately voted to table the issue for a later meeting. Nut graf: One proposal would tie an annual increase to the federal Social Security COLA; an alternative proposed by a board member capped the COLA at 2.5% (later discussed at 4%) and added language reserving the board—s right not to provide the COLA in constrained budget years. After extended discussion among board members and about a dozen members of the public, the motion to table the COLA was passed. Select Board members discussed the merits of a policy that would promise annual COLAs indexed to the federal Social Security increase versus language that limited (capped) automatic increases to protect the town under the 4% tax cap. Board members and public commenters stressed competing priorities: supporting municipal employees, maintaining budget discipline under the tax cap, and the practicality of setting long-term promises that could bind future boards. Several residents spoke during public comment, urging the board either not to cap COLAs or to put the matter on the warrant for a town vote. After public comment and board discussion, a board member moved to table the COLA proposal; the motion passed on a voice vote. Ending: The Select Board tabled the COLA proposals pending further consideration and possible future revision; no policy was adopted at the Sept. 2 meeting.