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Town and firefighters reach three‑year successor contract; increases to wages and stipends included
Summary
The town announced a three‑year successor collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters union covering FY24–FY26 with base wage increases (2%, 2%, 2.5%), larger EMT and paramedic stipends and new holiday pay for Juneteenth; implementation of cost items requires town meeting funding.
Town staff told the Select Board that negotiations with the firefighters union concluded in a three‑year successor agreement covering July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. The board had previously authorized approval of terms in executive session; staff shared the highlights publicly.
Key monetary items include annual base wage increases effective each July (2% in FY24, 2% in FY25 and 2.5% in FY26). EMT stipends rise by a total of $1,500 across the three years (from $3,000 to $4,500 by FY26) and paramedic stipends increase by $4,900 over the contract (from $7,600 to $12,500 by FY26). Employees will receive Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
The contract also establishes tuition reimbursement dollar caps and adds a repayment requirement for employees who voluntarily resign within two years of receiving reimbursements. Clothing allowances are increased incrementally to $1,200 by contract end. Nonmonetary language cleanups were incorporated.
Implementation of the financial items is contingent on funding at the upcoming October special town meeting. The board thanked negotiators and the union for reaching a settlement.
