Town of Union approves 3.5% pay raise for exempt employees and revises 2026 sales-tax split

The Town of Union Board on Dec. 3, 2025 voted unanimously to grant a 3.5% salary increase to all department heads and non-department head exempt employees, effective Jan. 1, 2026, and approved a new split of the town's 2026 sales-tax revenue.

Councilman Thomas R. Augostini moved the finance resolutions, which Councilman Joseph P. Nirchi, Sr. seconded. The board adopted a recommended allocation for 2026 of Part-Town General (Fund 20) 54%, Part-Town Highway (Fund 31) 42% and Parks District (Fund 40) 4%, replacing the prior 62%/38% split between Part-Town General and Part-Town Highway. The board recorded an affirmative vote by all members present.

The board also approved a prepared resolution that sets a 3.5% wage increase for all department heads and non-department head exempt employees, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The resolution was presented and passed as a bundled finance committee item during the meeting.

In related business the board approved several line-item budget transfers, including a reallocation of $8,500 from gasoline to building maintenance and a $590 adjustment moving clothing funds to office equipment. The minutes list additional transfers for program supplies and Christmas-in-the-Park supplies. These transfers were moved by Councilman Augostini and seconded by Councilman Nirchi and were carried by the board.

The board also set several public hearings for Dec. 17, 2025 to consider proposed local laws, including a local law on Temporary Portable Storage Structures, a Timber Management local law, and amendments to Chapter 155 to add residential property-maintenance provisions. These hearings were called by resolution and approved unanimously.

Copies of the adopted resolutions and the detailed budget transfer entries are on file in the Town Clerk's office.