T O W N O F M IL T O N

cate parents and staff about potential options and trade-offs. The resultingbudget for the Schools is one which funds all of the budget priorities identifiedby the School Administration as Level 1 Priorities. These included a total of6.4 Elementary, Middle and High School classroom teachers and $50,000 infunding for Text, Materials, Supplies and Technology. While a small number ofreductions may be required, these will not have any significant impact on classroomteacher staffing or class size.Table 10 summarizes the amounts that the departments requested and thatthe Warrant Committee recommends for FY2012. Additionally, the table insidethe front cover of this Warrant compares the recommended FY2012 appropriationsto the FY2011 appropriations.There are several other articles for which an appropriation was requestedor which have financial impact to the Town in this or subsequent years. Theseinclude unpaid medical bills in the Fire Department, a request for funding forthe Town’s 350th anniversary celebration, a request for funding the establishmentof a Fire Space Needs Committee, the acceptance of sections of the Actsof 2010 relating to retirement benefits, revocation of participation in the QuinnBill and a housekeeping article to rescind prior borrowing authorizations. Pleasesee the comments in those articles for further details.The warrant shows an increase in the cost of group health insurance of10.72%, which is double that of last year. At the time of going to press, this isexpected to be a high estimate and the final number is due prior to Town Meeting.The difference will be allocated to the Stabilization Fund for FY2013. Atthe time of going to press, the Governor has proposed legislation that wouldforce cities and towns to join the Group Insurance Commission (“GIC”) as ofJuly 1 if they cannot reach an agreement with collective bargaining units. TheHouse is considering alternative proposals and although it is unclear what (ifany) action will be taken by the legislature that will affect FY2012, we do expectchanges that will affect FY2013 and beyond.All Town union contracts are due to expire at the end of FY2011. Article 7is a set aside covering the balance of a 2% increase for unions which have notsettled. At the time of going to press, a tentative agreement had been reachedwith the Police Patrolman union for a 0% increase through the last day ofFY2012, with a 2.5% increase becoming effective on that date. The Fire unionhad also reached a tentative agreement for a 1% increase in FY2012 with a further1.5% due on the last day of FY2012. The set aside article includes the 1%for Fire as the final numbers were being determined at press time. Article 12 includesa 2% increase for Chapter 13, non-union non-school employees as votedby the Personnel Board. This applies to those employees remaining followingthe approval of the State Labor Board of the establishment of a collective bar-243