Selectmen’s Minutes 12.14.23

Select Board Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.

Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler arrived at 5:49.

Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator

Regular and Old Business:

Follow up discussion of 2024 budget:

  • The Deputy Town Clerk has resigned; the corresponding budget line was reduced from $18,100 to $8,000.
  • 2006 Fire Department Heavy Equipment Fund reduced from $50,000 to $25,000.
    • The Board discussed tasking the Fire Chief with identifying opportunities to share equipment across multiple communities.
  • Fireworks was reduced from $15,000 to $10,000. The $5000 difference will be made up by fundraising efforts.

The Board discussed the employee wage increase for 2024. After much discussion, the Board agreed to approve the employees receive up to a 3% increase with the split between COLA and merit to be discussed at a future date.

Motion: Marlene Freyler moved the Board approve 3% as the total wage increase amount for 2024.

Second: Mel Pfeifle

Decision: 3-0, all in favor

Marlene noted that $1481 would be reimbursed to the Town for extra work FVB Landscaping did in the cemeteries over the summer.

Motion: Mel Pfeifle moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 pm.

Second: Marlene Freyler

Decision: 3-0, all approved

Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford