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<br />Select Board <br />March 4,2026 <br />Minutes <br /> <br />Departmental budget changes were described as generally modest, with several <br />departments level-funded or seeing small adjustments. Collins also noted that <br />collective bargaining agreements will be presented separately once negotiations are <br />finalized. <br /> <br />During discussion, Selectman Cotton asked about the assumptions included in the <br />budget for collective bargaining agreements. The Town Manager explained that <br />projections for those costs are currently built into free cash estimates based on <br />anticipated outcomes of negotiations. <br /> <br />Selectman Cotton also asked whether legal expenses could be tracked more <br />specifically by department when legal services are used to support particular boards <br />or projects. Collins responded that such tracking could be implemented moving <br />forward. <br /> <br />Collins clarified that no action from the Select Board was required at the meeting, as <br />the presentation was intended to provide an overview prior to Finance Committee <br />review. He noted that he would return with additional information if questions arose <br />from the Select Board. <br /> <br />Further discussion addressed the balance between potential service reductions and <br />the possibility of an override. Collins stated that reductions across departments had <br />already been considered, with smaller departments absorbing modest reductions and <br />larger operational departments such as Police, Fire, Public Works, and the School <br />Department making more substantial adjustments where possible. <br /> <br />Collins noted that many municipal costs are largely driven by personnel expenses, <br />which represent the majority of municipal budgets. He explained that cost-of-living <br />adjustments, employee benefits, and other contractual obligations contribute <br />significantly to annual increases. He emphasized that maintaining essential services <br />requires continued investment in municipal sta?. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Selectwoman Kelley-Wilson concerning the projected <br />timeline for the wastewater facility to become self-su?icient, Assistant Town Manager <br />Wayne Taylor explained that the Town is still working through the billing process and <br />therefore does not yet have a definitive timeline. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br /> <br />