Wiscasset selectmen have approved one of three collective bargaining contracts after the police department’s three full-time officers ratified a new 3-year contract. 

Town Manager Marian Anderson notified media of the agreement by email Dec. 16. According to Anderson, both parties agreed to a two-percent raise above the police officers’ current rate of pay, retroactive to July 1. Police will receive a second two-percent raise effective July 1, 2016 and a third one on July 1, 2017. The contract runs through June 30, 2018.

Selectman Judy Flanagan said Dec. 17, the negotiations went very smoothly and she was pleased with the agreement. “I think it was good for them, as well as good for the town,” she said.

After Chairman Ben Rines Jr. recused himself as a participant in contract discussions, Flanagan chaired the board’s discussions done in executive session.

Selectman Judy Colby later motioned to ratify the contract between the town and Wiscasset Police Association. Selectman David Cherry seconded the motion which carried 4-0.

Rines didn’t take part in the negotiations or any business concerning the contract because had been a member of the same union for 33 years while he was employed at Bath Iron Works. He wasn’t present for talks concerning the contract, or when the board voted to accept it.

Selectman Jeff Slack and the town manager represented the town during the bargaining sessions. The board’s legal counsel for the negotiations was attorney Matt Tarasevich of the law firm of Bernstein and Shur.

Slack told the Wiscasset Newspaper, one change in the contract was with the health insurance carrier.

“It saves them money, and it saves us money too,” he said. “It’s a done deal. They were very good to work with. It was a good experience for us and I hope for them, too,” Slack said. It’s the second time he’s been involved in negotiating a contract with the police department’s bargaining unit, Local 6.

The contract affects three full-time police officers, the sergeant, a patrolman and the school resource officer. The police department’s nine part-time reserve officers are not covered under the contract.

Selectmen still have to negotiate new contracts for the town’s support staff and public works employees with their respective bargaining units. Support staff includes full-time workers at the Wiscasset Community Center and town office. Public works includes the highway crew, transfer station and sewer treatment plant. Those contracts also ended on July 1.

Slack said negotiations with those bargaining units are continuing.