Whately Select Board approves 3 percent COLA, reshuffles free-cash warrant articles

Select Board · Meeting of April 13, 2026

Whately Select Board votes 3 percent COLA and reshapes annual town meeting warrant articles. The board unanimously approved a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for the town administrator at the April 13 joint session with the Finance Committee, with one member noting that neighboring Buckland is offering only 2.5 percent and that health insurance increases are already eroding employee pay. Town Administrator Chris presented a draft warrant showing the highway stabilization fund at just $25,000 and capital stabilization at $100,000, well below target levels, against a two-year equipment replacement tab of approximately $364,000 for highway tractors and a mower.

The board tentatively directed $150,000 of free cash to highway stabilization and raised the capital stabilization article to $100,000, while also approving a $2,500 reserve-fund transfer to the Council on Aging for expanded fiscal year 2026 services. The warrant is expected to close around April 27.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of April 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.