What follows are notes on last Monday's selectboard meeting, gleaned
from interviews with some who were there, as I was unable to attend. I
submit this report with the confidence that, if I misunderstood
anything, there will be people willing to correct me.

FY 2010 pay increases: At their March 9 meeting, the selectboard voted
to revise downward its recommended pay increase for town employees in
the financial year that begins July 1. Previously, the board had settled
on a 5.4% increase, to match the 2008 rise in the cost of living.
However, economic conditions, both in the town and globally, militate
against an increase of that size, selectmen agreed. It was noted that
Starrett has cut many workers down to 24 hours per week, and that Rodney
Hunt is not giving pay increases to its worker.

Currently the board plans to recommend to the annual town meeting a 2%
pay raise. The finance committee, which earlier voted a 3% raise, will
be approached to discuss the final figure. Wage earners will see an
increase in their paychecks regardless of the town's decision, since the
federal government is implementing a reduction on federal withholding
taxes starting in May.

Gill lends a truck: The board approved a proposal from town coordinator
David Young to borrow a used truck and sander from the Town of Gill. The
transmission housing on Warwick's new truck was found during routine
maintenance to be broken, probably because of something the plow went
over during a snowstorm, according to the dealer, who has seen several
other instances of the same kind of break. Unless it can be shown to be
a design or manufacturing defect, the damage is not covered by warranty.

If the town's insurance must pay, there is a $500 deductible. At
present, the town's insurance company is in discussions with the
manufacturer's insurer.

Without help from Gill under the towns' mutual aid agreement, our
highway department would have been struggling in the last storm with a
single sander. As it was, Gill agreed to lend Warwick a 1989 truck --
older than the one our town replaced this year -- that it was planning
to sell for salvage.

Warwick's truck should be back in service some time next week.

Fairness policy reiterated: Responding to a resident's inquiry about an
event held recently at the library, the board voted to reaffirm existing
practice by adopting the following "fairness policy" regarding the use
and/or rental of town buildings:

	The Town of Warwick does not discriminate against groups or
	individuals in use of facilities on the basis of origins, age,
	background, views, beliefs or affiliations.

Coordinator Young reported that the State Ethics Commission's lawyer on
duty said that as long as the town has a fairness policy the commission
has no objection to meetings held in town buildings by
politically-oriented organizations.

Accident-free quarter awards: To take advantage of the opportunity to
minimize the premium for Workers Compensation insurance, the selectboard
voted to offer a small reward (for example, a coupon for a free pizza)
to employees who complete a quarter of work without an injury producing
accident. This year the town qualifies for a 12% premium discount. By
adding the no-accident incentive, the town's discount next year will be
20%.The point, Young said, is qualifying for the discount, not
rewarding workers.

Everyone who is paid by the town is covered under Workers' Compensation,
whether they are appointed or elected.

Miryam Williamson reporting