Voters approved Special Town Meeting Article 4, authorizing the appropriation of $153,245.21 to cover accrued sick leave buybacks for four retiring school department employees. The funds are designated for individuals confirmed to retire in June of this year.

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Tom Miller explained that the payout is a routine part of the district’s compensated balance fund, which has been in place for many years. Scott Swain of the Advisory Board clarified that the vote does not require new taxpayer funding. This fund already contains sufficient balances and does not require new taxpayer funding, Swain said. The request aligns directly with the intended purpose. There is no impact to the general fund.

Motion: To appropriate $153,245.21 from the compensated absence fund.

Vote: Passed