Whately Select Board launches health insurance negotiation, amends personnel policy

Select Board · Meeting of March 11, 2026

Whately Select Board approves health insurance negotiation process and personnel policy update. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to engage Mass. General Law Chapter 32B, Sections 21 through 22B, to negotiate a health insurance plan change with the town's two school unions, designating Town Administrator Pete as the town's representative with the Public Employee Committee; a deal must be reached by end of April so all covered employees receive required 60-day notice before a July 1 effective date.

The board also unanimously appointed Keith Bardwell as the Retiree Representative to the newly formed Insurance Advisory Committee and approved updated personnel policies incorporating last year's classification and compensation plan, which ties step increases to a six-month tenure requirement, a favorable performance review, and appropriated funding. A draft Annual Town Meeting warrant covering 21 articles was reviewed, including Articles 17 and 18, which would put the conversion of the town clerk from an elected to an appointed position before voters in a two-step process. The Housing Trust currently holds $138,000, with up to $12,000 authorized for a soil survey at 268 State Road pending final proposal selection.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of March 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.