Minutes

Citizen's Advisory Committee on Finance · from the Town's website · 2 pages · 148 KB
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Citizens Advisory Finance Committee
Tuesday March 3, 2026 Harvey Hearing Room

Meeting called to order at 6:10 pm by Karin Chavis
Zoom available: meeting ID# 89080420584 / passcode 315997 / phone 1-305-224-1968

Roll Call:

Members present / Karin Chavis (KC), Matt Gorzkowicz (MG), William Gault (WG), Shannon Poulos
(SP), Joe Hanlon (JH), Christian Buonopane (CB), Michael Gillespie (MJG) new member who tonight is
unable to advise, take action or vote until March 6, 2026 by Charter section 2-10 (b).

Others present / Sarah Johnson (SJ) Finance Director, Robbie Powers (RP) Ass’t CFO, James Letterie (JL)
Council President, Suzanne Swope (SS) TC Vice President, Max Tassinari (MT) TC Councilor at large, Kim
Dimes (KD) TC Precinct 2, Fire Chief Stephen Calandra (SC)

KC / Housekeeping follow up for FY 2026:

1. Health Insurance costs: HR director putting together a committee of Union reps to discuss current 2.
2. GIC and benefits of looking at alternatives. MG stated that GIC directors meeting next week to set
rates for 2027, with guesstimate of 8% increase.

3. Chief Information Officer: TM and CP have been reminded by KC for discussion on job description &
salary.

4. Solid Waste costs; ongoing discussion with WHA on their cost and increase as indicated.

5. Capital Plan: noted 14 School projects totaling $94,000.00, not addressed. TM contacted
Superintendent who has stated projects have been completed and those not, will be by June 30, 2026.

Information on 2026 Budget:
SJ / stated the largest MV excise Tax mailed, on February 26, 2026
SJ & RP / Snow and ice deficit $258,000 before last storm. Budget appropriation was $135,000.00
Cost for 2026 will be over $400,000.00.
Water breaks associated with storm, $50,000.00 not part of Snow and Ice
MG / has talked with TM about applying for maximum FEMA reimbursement.
Two sander Trucks repairs $10-15,000.00 not including truck in sink hole during storm.
Additionai OT payroll and outside vendors will be applied to snow and ice line. Some is on payroll for
March 10, 2026 pay day.
Fire Department over / OT-training-uniforms-heat-electricity-vehicle repair. RP hopes to be able to move
funds from other departments at end of year.
EOC / over on electric and heat, but encumbered money will cove
DPW / OT charges now moved to Snow and Ice
Voke and Essex Tech / Voke assessment lowered by $280,000 because they had free cash balance to
use. Essex Tech is coming in as budgeted.

SP / asked about Teacher negotiation impacts, JL stated SC meeting on Wednesday March 4, 2026 with
WTA, may have better idea after that meeting.

MG / questions:

1. Collective bargaining status (town side)

2. GIC funding / Town looks okay, SJ does not know about School. RP said would have to check with
Dylan Cook CFO-School Business Manager. Current GIC contract expires June 2027, town needs to notify
the GIC December 2026 if renewing.

3. Public Health / Grants for 2026 are okay. RP stated he heard from public health director and is having
a meeting.

4. IT collaboration with surrounding city or town (regional). JL stated that TM looking at BU/students
who would come and do assessment of current IT and determine needs and extras. Probably not
available until the summer. This would help put us in the right direction. Current vendor does not look
for redundancies or assist.

SS / asked about short fall in Fire Budget. Chief Calandra stated he has minimum staffing requirement.
He has not been at full staff secondary to 3 retirements and 2 FF to Mass Port Fire. There are 3 new FF
and 4 going to the Fire Academy in June. One more retirement next month. Mass Port has another
hiring next month, hoping no more leaving. Chief stated he cannot send new recruits to academy until
2027.

MT / asked about covering the Snow and Ice deficit. RP had several scenarios, including spreading out
over than | FY included in expenditure. He also said there is the Voke money, maybe some GIC money
and Free Cash. JL would like to pay and not add to tax Recap. Not sure how much assist from State, the
decision, said RP, is by the entire team

KC / Noted increase in revenue in Room and Meal tax. Much higher than anticipated.

JL / asked about water bill revenue, RP said had been slow because of billing issue and usage. This has
been corrected and RP believes bills are being paid. Current cycle due March 16, 2026.

6:55 pm thank you SJ and RP for attending this meeting.

KC/ Finance Commission Information:

We are posted every Thursday night at 6 pm in April and May. We start on April 9 and continue through
May 28, 2026. Two dates, April 16 and May 14 we will be in the Gathering Room the other nights in the
Harvey Hearing Room and Zoom will be available. | have booked the TM and Finance Team for April 9
and the School for May 14. Departments we would like to see, Fire -EOC / Police - Harbormaster-911
call center-ACO / DPW — Water& sewer- solid waste — cemetery — Building maint. / Public Health /
Assessors and Inspectional Services. | will contact Laurisa on Monday March 9 to contact the
departments. All departments are welcome if they want to schedule.

Will ask TM to do a deeper dive into the Capital Plan on April 9 and also ask Superintendent to a second
night, May 28, and also invite Dylan Cook CFO/ Business Office Manager to attend meetings.

JL/ mentioned the Library, but we haven’t seen them in 2 cycles. Library has been doing well and their
building looks good. New carpeting, updated Handicap Access in Children’s room and outside building
HP access, Grant money and assist from the Winthrop Commission on Disabilities.

Motion to adjourn by WG second by JH at 7:10 pm

Karin Chavis / Chair CAFC