HUDSON – A public hearing to consider the Hudson Budget Committee’s proposed town and school budgets Jan. 11 proved to be uneventful, and all warrant articles recommended by the committee will move forward to the next stage – a public deliberative session on Feb. 4.

The one speaker during the public comment period was Dan Wells, a school counselor at Alvirne High School and president of the Hudson School District’s leadership team, which includes counselors and school administrators.

Wells spoke in defense of the leadership team’s new collective bargaining agreement, which drew criticism from some members of the budget committee, in part because it adds two paid days to their schedule.

Wells said that because the calendar for school year employees was lengthened two days, the leadership team also needed to add two days to its calendar in order to meet its needs.

Eric McDowell, vice-chairman of the committee, originally voted against this collective bargaining agreement, but said that after further research, he is now in support of it.

One of the reasons he said he supports the updated contract is because, like the teacher’s union contract, it now provides an increase in wages to those who have a master’s degree.

"I think a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work is what should be expected out of anyone here," McDowell said.

Thaddeus Luszey, committee member and chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said he still opposes the contract because it requires the town to pay 93 percent of staff insurance costs – a greater percentage than any other contract.

The contract was passed 8-2, with committee members Thaddeus Luszey and Ted Trost in opposition.

In total, the committee recommended five school budget warrant articles to be considered during the public deliberative session.

The articles include:

? A collective bargaining agreement between the district and Teamsters Union Local 633, which represents School District employees.

? A request for $175,000 to replace the roof of the gymnasium at Alvirne High School.

? A warrant article representing the final school budget for fiscal 2017-2108 at a total of $52,534,706.

The committee recommended 12 town warrant articles. They include:

? A two-year collective bargaining agreement between the Hudson Police Employees Association and the town.

? A two-year collective bargaining agreement between Hudson Highway Department AFSCME Local 1801 Union and the town.

? A warrant article representing the proposed fiscal 2017-18 town general operating budget of $25,062,815.

The town deliberative session will be held Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Hudson Community Center.

Derek Edry can be reached at 594-1243, dedry@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_Derek.