Cromwell Town Council Denies Assessor's Retirement Benefits Request, Approves Police Contract Extension

Town Council · Meeting of May 13, 2026

CT CROMWELL — Cromwell Town Council denies assessor's post-retirement medical benefits and approves a two-year police contract extension at a May 13 special meeting. The council voted to deny the unnamed assessor's benefits request, with council member Al Waters making the motion, Paula G. Luna seconding, and one abstention recorded.

On the police contract, the council voted unanimously to extend the Fraternal Order of Police collective bargaining agreement for two years, with a 3 percent general wage increase in each year; the union had already ratified the deal. Town Manager Tony Salvatore and police staff were credited with completing the negotiation without outside labor counsel. One council member called the 3 percent figure "incredibly fair," noting it runs slightly above the state average and supports ongoing officer recruitment.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 514 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of May 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

CROMWELL — May 13, 2026 — The Cromwell Town Council voted at a special meeting Wednesday to deny a retiring assessor's request for post-retirement medical benefits and to approve a two-year contract extension for the town's sworn police officers with a 3 percent general wage increase each year.

Both actions came out of executive session, which lasted roughly 23 minutes. The meeting opened at 6:40 p.m. and adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

The Full Story

The council convened the special meeting before its regular 7 p.m. session to handle two personnel and labor matters in executive session. No citizens came forward during the public-comment period. Council members invited Town Manager Tony Salvatore, the town's assessor, and the finance director into the closed session alongside them.

The first matter concerned a request from the assessor's office for post-retirement medical benefits. Following executive session, council member Al Waters moved to deny the request; council member Paula G. Luna seconded the motion. The council voted to deny with one abstention recorded. The transcript does not identify which member abstained.

The second matter was a two-year extension of the Fraternal Order of Police contract covering Cromwell's sworn police officers. Council member Jack Henehan made the motion to approve the extension; council member Brian Bonneau seconded. The council voted unanimously in favor. Under the extension, all existing collective-bargaining-agreement terms remain in place; the only change is a 3 percent general wage increase in each of the two years. The union has already ratified the agreement.

Following the vote on the police contract, one council member offered brief remarks commending the negotiating parties.

"Three percent is incredibly fair. It's about a little above the state average, and we need to keep recruiting and supporting our police officers." [No timestamp available] — Council member, identity unconfirmed from transcript

The same speaker thanked Town Manager Salvatore and police staff for completing the negotiation without extensive outside legal costs, adding: "Keep us labor lawyers unemployed as long as you can."

Why It Matters

The police contract extension gives Cromwell's sworn officers a 3 percent annual raise over two years under terms the union has already ratified, providing wage certainty on both sides and avoiding a prolonged negotiation. For taxpayers, the cost is predictable and locked in at a rate the council characterized as competitive with the state average — a factor it cited in the context of ongoing recruitment pressures. The denial of the assessor's post-retirement medical-benefits request closes that personnel matter without added long-term liability to the town, though the identity and circumstances of the requesting employee were not disclosed in the public portion of the meeting.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Move into executive session Tally: Approved unanimously (voice vote; one abstention possible — see transcript note)

- Vote: Deny assessor's request for post-retirement medical benefits Tally: For: 6, Against: 0, Abstain: 1, Total: 7

- Vote: Approve two-year FOP union contract extension (3 percent GWI each year) Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Adjourn the special meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Cromwell's community access TV: Town Council meeting, May 13, 2026