Minutes

Citizen's Advisory Committee on Finance · from the Town's website · 2 pages · 460 KB
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Finance Commission Minutes

RECEIVED
Date: Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 6:00pm via Zoom
Attendees: TOW: Robbie Powers, Rachel Kelly, Peter Christopher, Steveldtugdibro] All: 29
FC: Brent Farrell, Jim Letterie, Karin Chavis, Shannon Poulos, Tracey Honan, Matt
Gorzkowicz, Jan Twombly, Bill Gault, Richard Ferrino, Joe Hanlon, Shannon Poulos
Public: Wendy Millar sca
Absent: None

Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm by Letterie, Chairperson.

Primary purpose of the meeting is to dialogue / finalize potential budget modifications for inclusion in
the written recommendation to Town Council.

Written draft to be prepared by Sunday (June 6") with final draft to town council by Tuesday (June
8th), This will allow a full week for the council for its vote the following Tuesday (June 15¢h),

Letterie noted that there are ARPA calculations available. Potential $450K recommendation in
current budget from revenue could end up being too aggressive.

Four items that are agreed upon monetary increases:

1) Salary Reserve for CBA Account - $75K currently budgeted. Increase to $450K (+$375K)
2) Outside Legal - $60K currently budgeted. Increase to $95K (+ $35K)

3) Conservation Agent — Add $23K

4) Council on Aging - Add $21K

Letterie noted that the Cherry Sheet offset of ~$31K cannot be included as it requires town council
approval, so cannot be an adjustment

Measures voted on include:

1) Utilize $30K in reduction from assessing consulting line item less $8K for shortfall in 2021 to date.
Add $8K to permanent employee line and $22K to overall shortfall. Unanimous approval.

2) Veteran's benefits line-item reduction from $70K to $50K, with $20K to overall shortfall.
Unanimous approval.

3) Trash Removal - Vote to increase allocation from $1.2MM to $1.264K. 6 to 4 vote in favor of
increasing allocation back to original budgeted number.

4) Police Vehicle & Sidewalks —- Delay purchase of cruiser and reduce sidewalk repairs for total of
$94K. Unanimous approval.

5) Planner - Reduce employee personnel line item from $100K to $50K. 6 to 4 vote in favor of
decreasing allocation by $50K

6) Benefits - Reduce amount on a 75/25 basis with reduction of $154K for schools and $51K for
town. Unanimous approval.

Verbal recommendations include:
1) IT Funding
2) Structural Deficit
3) Local Receipts
4) Fort Banks Access Road and special article recommendation
5) Free Cash Policy
6) Pension Funding / OPEB
7) Clocktower at EB Newton
8) Fire Station / Public Safety Building

9) Employee Compensation & Appropriate Policies
10) Pest Control / Management
11) Chief Procurement Officer & Grants Management
Ferrino motioned to adjourn, seconded by Twombly. Approved by all members.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.