Dispute over pay increases

KENT — The Kent Board of Finance approved a resolution to authorize the bonding of $2.9 million for the sidewalk renovation project at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 26.

The Board of Selectmen had approved the same resolution in February. 

This resolution will now go to a town meeting on May 3 that will adjourn to referendum on May 31. 

Cici Nielsen of the Kent Center School (KCS) Board of Education presented the 2019-20 education budget proposal to the board, which totals $4,621,871. This amount reflects an overall decrease of 0.38 percent, or $17,668, from the current budget. This decrease comes in spite of a 6 percent transportation cost increase and a 3 percent pay raise to all non-certified staff members.

First Selectman Bruce Adams presented the municipal budget proposal, which totals $3,821,793, an increase of 7.8 percent, or $274,975. A substantial portion of this percentage, about $200,000, is due to increases in salaries and benefits. Other factors include the addition of a commercial driver position in the highway department, an assistant in the social services office and additional staff at the transfer station.

Finance board member Ed Epstein questioned the increase in Town Hall employee salaries. Following an internal management review and an analysis of the salaries of similar jobs in nearby towns, the selectmen felt that some employees were underpaid. Epstein suggested spreading out the pay increases over a period of a few years, a sentiment shared by board Chairman Mark Sebetic, who noted that these increases would become permanent.

There was discussion about the pay raises and the finance board indicated it can not approve the municipal budget as presented. Another meeting was scheduled for April 2.  

The board also approved giving an additional $20,000 over the annual $100,500 grant given to the Kent Memorial Library to assist with an asbestos abatement and carpet replacement project.