Minutes

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Winthrop Finance Commission Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 6:00pm

Attendees: TOW: Steve Calla (SC), Robbie Powers (RP),

FC: Karin Chavis (KC), William Gault (WG), Matt Gorzkowicz (MG), Hannah Belcher (HB), John
DaRos (JD), Shannon Poulos (SP), Joe Hanlon UH)

Absent: Max Tassinari, John Macero, Brent Farrell

Other: Jim Letterie JL), Suzanne Swope (SS)

Meeting called to order at 6:07 pm by MG.

Rollcall vote completed by KC. All present except individuals noted above.

Presentation & Discussion: DPW Budgets and Enterprise Funds by Steve Calla

Cemetery
o Budget increased 9.7% due to persannel and materials increases
Tree warden stipend increased to $10K for retention
importance of continued tree planting and maintenance for airport hazard mitigation
Replaced most of the aging fencing around older section of cemetery
Still have 650 feet of fencing on cross street to replace
2 Have been using aluminum fencing which is cheaper than iron
Building Maintenance
o Budget increased 3.5% due to personnel and materials increases
o Takes care of custodial services for many town buildings (Town Hall, Library, PD, Senior Center)
o Natural Gas expenditure increased slightly due to higher costs
o PD building is costly to maintain
o EB Newton maintenance covered by revolving fund
Vehicles
o Purchased new vac truck and trash compactor, will keep old equipment as backup
Snow & ice
o Can legally be underfunded in budget; budget for $135K, typically spend ~$300K
= Difference made up by free cash and other turn backs
Water & Sewer Enterprise funds
o Increase of 1.6% due to MWRA assessment increase
o Continuing repairs to Water Tower as needed due to leaky roof
o Lead line replacements continue; still on phase | lead services (full), then will move to phase 2
(partial)
o Same commercial/residential water rates as to not overburden smail businesses
o Have ONE meter for water and sewer
o Water loss is down to 14% (from 25%)
Solid Waste
Signed 5 year contract with Capital Waste
Still moving towards ‘pay as you throw’ system
Decreasing town’s contribution to enterprise fund
Need to increase user fee by $30 (this is factored in to budget projections)
Housing Authority still not paying for all services used

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General Committee Discussion

MG going to send around last year’s recommendations

= — Will start list of items that have come up in discussion
= Significant concern for DPH loss of grants (also impacts WPD)
o How to move forward if grants do not come back
» Need to look at contract negotiations for schools
= {T expenses should be looked at for efficiencies
= Get questions for the schools to Matt to send to Lisa by Monday
= JD highlights including climate commissions plan in capital plan

KC motioned to adjourn; HB seconded. Approved by all present members,

Meeting adjourned at 7:47.