Barre Select Board approves 2% raise for non-union workers, weighs IT transition

BARRE — June 19, 2017 — Barre Select Board accepts IT director resignation and votes a 2 percent raise for non-union town employees. The board voted 2-0, with Chair Dr. Maureen Marshall recused, to authorize the cost-of-living increase after certifying $658,216 in general fund free cash — a figure board members described as unusually high. Vice Chair Mark Regienus expressed frustration that the regional IT director, who submitted his resignation June 12 effective June 30, gave the town less than three weeks to plan a transition, saying the short notice left Barre and its partners in Rutland "pretty much pushed right up against the wall." The board agreed to explore retaining the director on a month-to-month vendor basis through July at Barre's 13.3 percent share of his current compensation while both towns solicit competitive quotes for managed IT services. The Quabbin Regional School District agreed to a 3.16 percent assessment increase, bringing Barre's assessment to $5,288,612, below the budgeted figure.