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Councilors press for higher employee pay as budget stabilizes
Summary
Council discussion centered on balancing reserves with employee wages; one councilor publicly committed to pursuing a living-wage target while others urged prudence and transparency.
Council debate during the FY27 budget hearing returned repeatedly to employee pay and the size of the town's reserves.
Councilor Prince urged the council to pursue living-wage targets and said he would press for increases as conditions improve: "One of the best methodologies... is that of the living wage... a living wage is $20.88 an hour," he said. Other councilors acknowledged the desire to do more for staff but emphasized prudence while the town continues to stabilize its finances.
Members requested future presentations from department directors to justify budgets and spending. Councilor Slice said employees and taxpayers deserve transparency and recommended work sessions and director-level budget justifications. The mayor and finance staff said the adopted budget preserves all positions and that future raises will depend on improving fiscal position.
