Minutes
Finance Commission · from the Town's website · 2 pages · 128 KB
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WINTHROP FINANCE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES APRIL 23, 2026 Call to Order 6:00 PM. ROLL CALL Present: Karin Chavis, Shannon Poulos, Joe Hanlon, Christian Buonapane, Micheal Gillepsie, Kim Dimes, Paul Reardon, Sarah Johnson Absent: Matt Gorzkowicz, Max Tassinari, Bill Gault This meeting focuses on reviewing the Department of Public Works (DPW) Budget, which consists of Building Maintenance, Cemetery, Highway and 3 Enterprise Funds, Water, Sewer and Solid Waste. Karin opens up meeting with DPW Director Steve Calla Director Calla presents detailed budget breakdowns covering DPW operations, including personnel costs, contract services, and capital projects. The discussion continued with ongoing infrastructure projects such as lead line replacement, road paving, cemetery fence replacement, and stormwater management. Key budget increases were attributed to personnel costs, contract obligations, and supply line increases due to inflation, MWRA assessments and rising tipping fees. He continues with the Water Capital Projects being reviewed. There are a lot of projects that they will be continuing, but many count on grants which are in question at this time. It was asked if with everything that has to be done, how much overtime is involved and also what might be contracted out. Usually Wednesday is cut day, these cuts for Ingleside Cellucci, Veterans Field and Millers Field is contracted out. There is obvious overtime spent as new employees are needed. Karin Chavis asked about the field maintenance responsibilities, parks in general, she believes there are 5 playing fields, 6 playgrounds and tennis courts. The Tennis courts are usually handled by the Parks and Rec. The high school tennis courts fall between the school budget as well as Millers Fiel does. DPW is mainly responsible for the grass cutting of Miller Field. Miller Field is still in question of who exactly is responsible for maintenance... it is still being reviewed with the Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools. Shannon Poulos asks about the Little League fields that should not handle by DPW and really should not be as it is not accounted in our budget for the DPW to maintain. She will request from the Town Manager the details of what exactly should be covered by the DPW, the Town and the Schools Discussion continues on the budget costs, operating expenses etc. DPW Budget is available online. Line items were moved in personnel line items to fit the budget. Many grants that helped the budget in the past have been rejected this year and have caused the budget increases. Shannon asks if we actually applied for grants or decided not to, were all rejected? Director Calla states the .town-did apply for grants and were ineligible due to being non-compliant with MBTA 3A and this has caused increases in the budget. Shannon asks about several grants that we may have applied for in the past but did not receive, therefore we cannot blame 3A on not receiving all grants. She believes this is what’s misleading to the people who believe these grants were rejected due to 3A and we may have not received in the past. She will request from TM office the grants that have been applied for in the past, have received, have not and what due to nonbeing in compliance has affected. Sarah Johnson reports Assistant TM is tracking this and is included in the budget spreadsheet. The Committee thanks Steve Calla for his attendance and up to date information on the DPW budget. Motion by Kim Dimes to accept the minutes of April 16, 2026 24 by Shannon Poulos Roll Call Vote YES: ABSTAIN: Karin Chavis Matt Gorzkowicz Kim Dimes Joe Hanlon Paul Reardon Max Tassinari Michael Gillepie Bill Gault Christian Buonopane MOTION PASSES Motion by Kim Dimes to Adjourn 2™ by Shannon Poulos Motion Passed Unanimously