BOF To Unions, Police: Not So Fast

, the board of finance voted to institute wage freezes in principle. But when it came to voting on each budget, member Brian Vachris changed his mind. The result was several unions did not have to face a wage freeze, most notably the police, whose salary increase is the most expensive for the general government.

That all changed Wednesday night with the arrival of member Rosalyn Dupuis, who was sick and missed Monday’s meeting. Dupuis sided with Democrats John “Bill” Sheehan and George Peteros, along with Republican Norman Glidden, to demand wage freezes through practice.

The board of finance cannot demand wage freezes. Instead, the board voted to cut the amount of salary increases in each budget, forcing unions to accept a freeze or face layoffs.

“The economy is really hard,” Dupuis said on her decision to demand the wage freeze through practice. “Everyone is having issues.”

Sheehan said the board will go back to all the budgets at its meeting on March 30 and cut the salary increases of all town employees. This includes the police union, which did not face the cut Monday.

“In order to force the unions to agree to a freeze we need to be consistent,” Sheehan said. “It is the only lever the board of finance has.”

Freezes Wednesday

Dupuis’ deciding vote came in the tax assessor’s budget when employees salaries were discussed, saving $4,942. The board also cut $1,679 from the he first selectman's assistant's salary, dropping it down to $55,918.

Republicans Ron Fedor and Alan Wilensky voted against all motions that effectively demanded a wage freeze.

Monday’s Vote

On Monday, the board voted 3-3 to not cut the police union’s salaries, a potential $72,691 savings to the town. All tie votes fail, according to the town charter.

With Dupuis now committing to vote for the wage cuts, the board of finance will have a 4-3 majority on all wage demands.

The total savings of all town unions agreeing to wage freezes is $200,000, according to Sheehan. That savings to the average taxpayer would be about $3.60, according to Finance Director Rudie Beers.

The board of finance’s demand for a wage freeze the board of education’s demand for a wage freeze. So far, the the wage freeze, while the the board of education’s request for a freeze.

Correction: Originally, the Patch reported the board of finance cut from the tax collector's salary. That was incorrect, they cut salaries only in the tax assessor's office and the salary of the first selectman's assistant. Patch apologizes for the mistake.