Date: Fri 07-Feb-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: LIBRAR

Quick Words:

selectmen-Cascella-salaries

Full Text:

Salary Hikes Anticipated

With three different union groups up for contract renewals this year, First

Selectman Bob Cascella was forced to add an additional $35,500 in his proposed

1997-98 town budget to cover possible salary increases.

Unions representing Parks & Recreation workers, police dispatchers/clerics and

town "white collar" employees are all due to enter into contract negotiations

with the town, so with the possibility of salary increases, Mr Cascella opted

to add in the money, just in case.

Contingency money is put into the budget each year for emergencies, or

unanticipated costs.

Also, Mr Cascella said adding the additional money to contingency left the

fund at about one percent of the total budget, the level recommended by the

Connecticut Council of Municipalities.

Mr Cascella said the money is not included in an individual line item because

the town does not want to tip off the contract negotiators as to how much the

town is prepared to pay.

Last year, the first selectman added money to contingency in anticipation of

the town's contract negotiations with the police and highway department.

The Board of Selectmen was expected to discuss the proposal Thursday night.