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Staff project higher health-insurance costs and committee asks for wage-setting guidance
Summary
Town staff said they will solicit health insurance quotes beyond MMEHT and raised the projected increase from 12% to 15%; committee members pressed for a comprehensive wage study and clearer Select Board guidance on raises and longevity policies.
Town staff told the committee they are preparing to seek health insurance pricing beyond MMEHT and must project increases on a calendar-year basis. Katie Haley said she adjusted the projected insurance increase from 12% to 15% for each department to account for the pricing cycle.
Committee members discussed wage-setting practices and longevity policies. Haley said she submitted a memo proposing a comprehensive wage study to improve consistency and transparency in raises; Price urged the Select Board to adopt a formal wage policy. Jacob Stenger asserted that the town budget has increased 57% since 2021 while inflation has risen about 21% in the same period; staff did not provide a numeric reconciliation at the meeting and recommended further study.
Members asked staff to gather additional wage-data and to return with a clearer framework for merit, longevity and cost-of-living adjustments.
