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Board begins FY26 budget planning; discusses single-stream recycling and staffing
Summary
Board members reviewed early FY26 budget priorities: a proposed 3% salary increase for Colleen, an increase to visiting nurses contract, level-funded clinics, stipend increases, and plans to solicit bids to move from dual-stream to single-stream curbside recycling with contract options to cover container costs.
Board members began substantive discussion of the FY26 budget, focusing on staff pay, service-contracts and a planned overhaul of curbside recycling.
Unidentified Speaker 2 said budget review with Colleen recommended a 3% salary increase; board members voiced support for a 3% raise and agreed to increase Colleen’s hours to 25 per week. Unidentified Speaker 3 said the visiting nurses contract will receive a 3% increase and clinics were level-funded.
On waste collection, Unidentified Speaker 3 explained the town plans to move from dual-stream to single-stream recycling effective next July and will include container provisions in the invitation to bid; the board discussed whether container costs should be absorbed by the contractor over the contract term or paid partly up front by the town. Unidentified Speaker 2 suggested spreading container costs over three years to reduce resident burden. Staff said they will meet with the waste contractor contact (Lauren) on the 19th to refine numbers and will have more concrete budget figures at the next board meeting.
Other budget items discussed included DEP-mandated third-party landfill inspections, a new phone line for health department communications, and modest increases to printing and advertising. The board also discussed potential capital needs (including a vehicle for emergency trailer responses) ahead of formal capital planning.
