Trustees send FY28 department draft to town manager amid union pay uncertainty

Library director Donna presented the fiscal year 2028 department draft and explained that, per direction from town staff, finance removed proposed merit and cost‑of‑living adjustments for positions that will be covered by a forthcoming union contract. Donna told the board she had been directed by the town manager and finance staff to remove those increases because the union contract — if adopted by voters as a warrant article — would control those pay lines.

Donna asked the trustees to authorize sharing clarifying information with staff and to seek a legal citation that explains the process. "I would ask that of the board if you were open to it, to either communicate it to me to share with them or communicate it directly to them," Donna said, noting staff concerns. Trustees discussed fallback scenarios if a warrant article proposing raises failed and requested Donna obtain written guidance from the town manager, Justin, and, if necessary, town counsel. The board ultimately voted to move the department draft forward to the town manager as a draft for review rather than approving final totals.

Trustees emphasized transparency to staff about how wage proposals will be handled and asked that any legal basis for the direction be shared with employees so they understand the risks and process. No final wage decisions were made at the meeting; the action was limited to forwarding the draft for town‑level review.