New Middleboro Contracts

The Middleboro Selectmen and interim Town Manager periodically announce in vague terms that union contracts are being negotiated with the Town's various unions and subsequently ratified.

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In their wisdom, the Middleboro BOS negotiated ALL contracts to expire on July 1, 2007, which created a crush upon expiration that the BOS failed to address in a timely fashion.

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Last week, the BOS announced 3 additional contracts that had been extended for a SINGLE YEAR.

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Middleboro Voters should be cautioned to monitor the contracts closely, request copies from the Town Clerk and review them carefully.

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Several separate contracts have been negotiated by the BOS that included clauses such as the one included in the Town's 4 day a week Accountant:

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Dooney shall be entitled to any cost of living allowances that may be granted to any non-bargaining and/or collective bargaining agreement.

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or the Confidential Secretary to the Board of Selectmen:

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The Town agrees that, should any benefit contained in the Non-Union Benefits Agreement (or any successor Agreement) be increased or decreased, that benefit would be reopened for possible increase or decrease for the Board's Secretary as well, if voted by the Board of Selectmen.

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Some may recall that Town Meeting voters defeated the 36% pay raise given to the Board's Secretary, failing to understand that pay increase was subsequently granted.

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Similar clauses are included in several union contracts.

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Any contracts negotiated need to be presented with a disclosure of other separate contracts that will be affected and their ultimate costs to taxpayers.