Brentwood Cemetery Trustees record top performance rating, approve 2.8% merit increase for superintendent

The Brentwood Cemetery Trustees voted Nov. 6 to record a 5-out-of-5 performance rating for Cemetery Superintendent Joyce and to approve the select board's recommended maximum 2.8% merit increase as part of the trustees' budget submitted to the town budget committee.

The action formalizes the trustees' personnel recommendation ahead of the trustees' presentation to the budget committee on Monday, trustees said. The select board removed a 3% COLA placeholder from the draft and directed a zero COLA with a 2.8% maximum merit increase; trustees adjusted their budget worksheet to reflect the same figure.

Trustee Jillian moved to record the 5-out-of-5 rating and to grant the maximum 2.8% merit increase; Trustee Skip seconded the motion. The motion was approved by voice vote with the chair calling, "All in favor, aye." The trustees noted the maintenance line had been reduced in the select board's review and that some minor overages on maintenance could occur but would not affect the overall budget because other lines (retirement contributions) are not being tapped.

Trustees also reviewed expenditures through October and discussed procurement timing: several line items (flags and other seasonal supplies) require invoicing by mid-December and the superintendent said purchases will be charged to the town credit card to meet vendor deadlines.

The trustees said they will present the adjusted budget and supporting documents to the town budget committee on Monday, including the recorded performance rating.

No formal dissent was recorded during the motion. The trustees approved the budget adjustment by voice vote.