11:37One of the most notable actions during this meeting was the finalization of the police chief’s contract, now entering its third year. This contract included a substantial salary increase to $17,080, effective July 1st, and introduced a new residency requirement mandating that the police chief reside within 20 miles of the police station. The board emphasized that discussions would be held with the town administrator if any issues arose regarding this requirement. The contract also incorporated provisions for sick days. This move was aimed at providing additional security and benefits to the police chief. A motion to approve the contract was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.

18:23The meeting also addressed various financial matters, particularly focusing on the capital stabilization budget and associated projects. The board discussed the necessity of realistic and data-driven financial planning for capital projects, emphasizing the importance of accurate cost estimates. An engineer’s input was referenced regarding a project initially estimated at $50,000, highlighting the need for more precise financial planning. The board approved an allocation of $10,000 from the current year’s capital budget for engineering work related to a front steps project, which had not been adequately planned in previous proposals.

43:23The board also reviewed and approved several articles related to the fiscal year 2026 capital and operating budgets. Article 5, which proposed transferring $60,000 from stabilization funds to cover sick and vacation leave buybacks for Sunderland Elementary School employees, generated discussion about the source of funds. Ultimately, the board reached a consensus to recommend the article, adopting a balanced approach by dividing funds between free cash and stabilization. This decision was made with a three-nothing vote. Additionally, Article 6, concerning the appropriation of funds to pay prior year bills, specifically a $5,307 invoice from Karge Energy, was recommended and approved unanimously.

12:09In terms of personnel matters, the board introduced two new hires: Katherine Fort Pierce, known as Beanie, for the Board of Health, and Christine Walker Miller as a seasonal laborer for the highway department. Beanie brings over 20 years of municipal experience, having previously served as a health agent and town clerk. The board expressed enthusiasm for her appointment. Both hires were unanimously approved.

16:22The Select Board also agreed on amendments to the VDAR accounting software contract, which will run through June 2026. This amendment includes support for additional functionalities for tax systems. The board noted that this would result in cost savings compared to previous maintenance fees.

Further discussions centered on the recommendations from the capital stabilization planning committee for the 2026 fiscal year. The committee identified $186,627.31 available for capital projects, with an emphasis on recapturing approximately $90,000 in unused funds from previously completed projects. The board recognized the importance of addressing building improvements, specifically for front steps and flooring, by allocating funds for necessary engineering work.

27:35The board also reviewed the final budget for fiscal year 2026, highlighting the necessity of utilizing reserves to balance the budget. A total of $138,444 was drawn from the stabilization fund, with an additional $300,000 from free cash allocated for operating expenses and school-related costs. The board noted significant cuts across various departments, totaling $150,000, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to meet budget constraints. This effort, along with a 7.5% increase in local revenue projections, contributed to reducing the initial projected deficit of over $900,000 to a more manageable level.