Personnel Board recommends Article O wage plan for April town meeting

WAYLAND -- January 7, 2025, Wayland Personnel Board advances FY26 wage plan with Finance Committee leeway. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday to recommend Article O for the April 7 town meeting, approving updated pay tables while allowing the Finance Committee to adjust the full-time-equivalent chart as the budget is finalized. HR Director Catherine "Kate" Ryan said AFSCME employees will receive a final 3.4 percent market adjustment, the last installment of a 10 percent phase-in over three years, plus a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase, with most other unions getting the flat 2.5 percent COLA. Firefighter figures still reflect 2022 numbers pending ongoing negotiations. The non-union HR assistant role was reclassified from N3 to N5 and converted to a benefits coordinator as the town consolidated benefits administration for town and school employees. Member Mary Ellen Castagno, who made the motion, said any late changes would likely be reductions, not additions. The board met largely in executive session on a Step 2 grievance with IAFF Local 1978.