BRATTLEBORO — Selectboard Chair David Gartenstein said in his opening statement at the May 17 board meeting that the town hopes to soon complete collective bargaining negotiations.
Lately, the board has held numerous executive sessions, in part because of ongoing contract negotiations, Gartenstein said.
The municipality is committed to transparency, Gartenstein said, adding that he wanted to shed a little light on why the board has held so many closed-door sessions of late.
Four unions represent town employees. Gartenstein said two unions have reached tentative agreements with the town so far.
Two goals have guided the board's negotiations, he said.
First: Ensure wage and benefit structures are fair, and represent employee's work while remaining affordable to the town.
Second: Ensure that the contracts reflect employees' current work conditions and are consistent across all four unions.