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Council approves CDL training agreement and a tiered paramedic hiring bonus, members say amounts may be revisited
Summary
Council approved a two‑year CDL training reimbursement agreement and a tiered paramedic hiring bonus (totaling $3,000 at the end of three years) to help recruitment; members noted surrounding towns offer higher bonuses and signaled they may revisit the amounts.
The town council voted July 8 to adopt two personnel measures intended to strengthen recruitment and protect the town's investment in training.
The first, Resolution 2026-5, requires entry into a two-year commercial driver's license (CDL) training and reimbursement agreement for specific departments; if an employee leaves before two years they would repay training costs. Director of Operations Andy Hansen described the approach as similar to arrangements used for paramedic training.
The council also adopted Resolution 2026-6, which creates a tiered hiring bonus for prospective paramedics: $1,000 at hire, $2,000 after two years and an additional $3,000 (the transcript lists the staged payments culminating in a total bonus of $3,000 by the end of year three). Hansen said the intent is to attract already‑certified paramedics who can begin work immediately. During discussion a council member compared nearby towns' incentives, saying Saint John offers $6,000 and another community offers $10,000; members agreed the amounts in the adopted resolution may need later amendment.
Both resolutions passed on roll call votes with all members recorded as "yes" (motion carries 5-0). Council members asked staff to revisit bonus levels and report back if competitive adjustments are needed.
