All >> in favor? >> I we are open. Uh good evening everyone. This is a meeting of the finance committee. It is February 4th, 2026. This meeting is being audio and video recorded. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Okay. Joining us tonight, we have town administrator Jamie Kelly, assistant
town accountant Jamie Velasquez. Um we are going to review uh the following FY27 department budgets. Um conservation, soil board, building, health planning, appeals, assessors, council on aging, recreation and parks
and historical. Um a couple of these departments are not here tonight. They do want to give presentations. Um so they will be back here in two weeks on February 18th. I believe that's assessors planning and the building department. Is that correct?
>> Uh council on aging. We were supposed to meet with >> Oh, council on aging. That's right. >> And they we had some fires to put out today. >> Okay. So I know those those three um a and uh
the uh department because of my schedule uh had difficulty scheduling times for me to explain what
I did but I'll explain to you folks and it's pretty much the philosophy that uh we had in the memo that we sent out to all of them. And if they uh want to
present something different from that philosophy, I'm sure you folks would be glad to listen to them. But our memo is fairly strict on what the board of
selectman wants to agree to in the war. But there are I'd like to explain what I did budget to budget and then have you folks ask questions
uh of us because uh as you know I am a short timer and uh the finance department
sitting to my left here is uh going to be someone who is probably going to assist uh you folks throughout this process. >> We need to get her cookie definitely. She Yeah, she needs a chocolate chip
cookie. >> She's wearing a lot of hats. A lot of different hats. >> Uh in your packet, I updated the revenue sheet. There's not much there. Uh, I also gave you both sheets of the
uh cherry sheet estimates as last time I printed the same one twice. the uh there's only a difference of about a 100,000 from last year in the uh cherry
sheet estimates because the uh assessments went up a bunch. And so even though the governor
put more money into local aid, they took more money away in the assessments. So bottom line, it's around 100k. >> Yeah. So it's not much else. >> No. The uh
my basic philosophy this year was uh when we sent the memo out to the department heads was that they were to deliver a level budget as far as the bottom line of last
year in one budget and then they were to deliver a level budget plus mandated cost. So like for the assessors, I'm looking to
talk to them to see whether there's any increased cost in the software licenses, but other than that, it's fairly straightforward.
>> Yeah. Uh in the actual document you've been given, we have a level funded FY27
request and a potential department request. The depart that is not the actual department request. That's me filling in some things I know, but uh they're going to
have to justify every every change from bottom line level funding. Now, there will be major changes most likely in
the uh police department because we want to uh as we lose officers to the state police,
if we do, and we know a couple are on the list, then we're going to definitely have to put money into the police budget for academy and cadet uniforms. uh the
DPW budget we're going out on an RFP or RFQ for CA mass and or what is the CMAS line the uh processor trash processor line and the
curb pickup line. So you haven't been out in the marketplace for 5 years. Mhm. So that will pro definitely I expect an
increase. So you get DPW and police with those. Uh and the uh fire
uh we're looking to address some issues there, but I I don't expect it as much of a change as the police and the DPW. So Jamie, all these budgets before us
are essentially all level funded, correct? >> The fiscal year level funded, as you can see, is either level funded or very close to >> Yeah.
>> the uh previous fiscal year budget. Some are a little bit less >> just for rounding issues like $100 or something. >> So, I'm I remember from LA at the the planning department. I remember last
year um that there was a request for a part-time clerk. >> Is that is that going to be funded this year for them? because I know um the chair Mark was he really felt like he needed that and was requesting it and um
I think you know the fincom we had discussed it and we were in favor of doing that. >> Is that is that built into this budget? >> No, it's not and I have not had any direction to uh from the board of
selection of what they want. Weren't they trying to shift somebody that she >> I think that was the problem? >> Yeah, >> the planners shared. >> The planner shared >> the clerical staff was also being shared. >> Yeah. >> Try it and then he said he was going to
come back if it was >> if it didn't work that we would fix it for the master plan. Right. >> No. Uh what happened is uh they were talking about uh they partially funded 4,675
position >> but uh the when we started to look at all of the various agencies in that development group for
lack of a better term. like building appeals, uh, conservation, board of health, planning. The necessity to have someone do the appeals meant
that the uh, building department principal clerk started to do that work. and she was originally slotted to be the person that helped in the planning board.
>> I know the master plan committee, we're at the the tail end of everything right now. It's getting close to fruition to being done. I I do know we're starting to see permits come uh applications coming in
in a number of those departments, especially the building department. So, uh as I said, I haven't had direction from the board of selectment, but they haven't dealt with it. I know
what was said in the past. Uh my intent is to add a column for your recommendations and then a column for the uh board of selectman's recommendations
when we go forward. So if uh I have no problem putting it in your recommendation if you just so decide. Well, has has the planning department given any indication that they still that they still need they still want
that? >> They uh >> they still need it. >> I haven't met with them recently, but a couple months ago. Yeah. >> Are they coming in before? >> They should come before. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, February 18th, they're going to come in the assessors and so forth council on aging.
Otherwise, I would have asked you folks to hold on those tonight, but I think we might as well get these figures out so you see what you're dealing with. >> But the the right hand column, which is department request, which I know is your numbers, Jamie, doesn't have any sort of
adjustment for salaries. >> No. >> So, I would have thought that would have that would be included in there. >> You said he hasn't gotten it yet. But don't you have the contracts though like >> for which >> clerical like don't we have like the contracts so we know how much the
>> I can I didn't put any I just put last year's figure and because I have no direction from the board is selecting >> you're talking about >> on that position >> yeah contractual obligations that's what I thought the right hand column would be >> the contractual obligations like don't
we have to don't we have a contractual obligation to give the clerical staff a days. I guess that's the question. Do we I'm assuming we don't. Okay. >> Right now because the contract's not settled. >> Okay. So, none of these cuz I noticed across the board nothing
>> none of the clerical staff has a raise. >> Okay. the ASME contract. Uh they, if you remember, uh they voted against the contract proposal prior to town meeting
and then revoted after town meeting, but the board of selectment has has not yet approved any contract. >> But there should be. I mean, obviously there will be a raise. I mean, we should
probably plan accordingly and >> put some funding into it, though. >> February 18th is school vacation. >> Uh, >> we still had it planned. >> You still Oh, so unlike when Mark's coming back. >> Yeah, we still
>> because the week before we can >> cuz I know Mark is away too. That's why I thought he wouldn't be coming in, but he's coming back on Tuesday. >> Yeah, we we're not meeting next week for some reason. I can't remember what the reason why we're not meeting next week. I thought it was vice versa that we were meeting next week, but we're not.
>> I'm not going to be here next week and neither will Pete. >> Yeah, it's the 18th. >> There was not a room available next week. So, I also >> Yeah, but we were going to look at the police department, right? That's what we talked about, >> right? >> We did mention that. Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Because I believe I said if it's just Eric and I that aren't going to be here, you still have plenty for a quarant. >> Yeah. Because the email I got today, it was indicated that it was going to be the 18th. for those three departments. >> Yeah, that's me. That's why, >> right?
>> Yeah. Didn't have any. The next meeting was the 18th. So, that's what they were looking at. >> And that is because I think they wanted that two week. >> Yeah. >> I mean, they're they're pretty flexible. They just want to make sure like the assessors want to make sure they meet after their board meets, you know, same
like conservation, like I said, >> you know, Julie's out so they want to meet. So >> the uh 18th we had the moderator, Fintcom, accounting, treasure, collective, board of selectment, legal,
uh uh it town buildings, veterans, elections, town clerk, registar. >> It's a robust schedule. >> Yeah, you guys are going to be busy. But most of them at least half of them are the small accounts under the board of
selectment like miscellaneous. >> So those regional can come in >> that night. >> Those are the ones we grouped together and voted as a whole last year >> but next so it's next week we have to we're not going to have this room.
>> Yeah. Are you meeting next week? >> They're not I didn't think so. No word on the tenative schedule, >> right? We talked about we talked about changing the tenative, >> right? So, we're skipping next week. >> Yeah. >> And we're going to the 18th. >> Yeah, that's what I thought.
>> Which is school vacation. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> School vacation, >> right? the the uh I assume uh there won't be much changes
in uh any of the accounts other than uh planning if planning wants to present to you for that halftime clerical staff and if uh
you folks vote to put it in then we'll put it in the column and determine what the uh uh proper salary would be. >> Well, I know there was a request on her on their part to uh to come in and give
us a presentation. So, I you know, I'd like to grant that request and let them come in. But other than that, it's uh you remember that our town planner we share with Matapoet and it's an she's a
Matapoet employee and so the numbers that you see her for her salary and benefits are what we expect because of the agreement with Matapo. And we actually
who's doing the minutes for the planning board. >> Uh Patricia >> Patricia's doing that. >> Yeah. >> For that. >> Yeah. >> So we have someone who's doing her just doing minutes for a lot of the boards and so that's freeing up some of the
staff. I just have to remember how which boards since she's doing like six, five >> master in con you'll see that
uh year to date hasn't been that expanded because we've recently hired a conservation agent as and it's six months probation and we
uh she's only doing the conservation work as she comes up to speed and once she does that the I am sure that the conservation commission will ask the
board of selection to then appoint her storm water agent. We're using 53G and uh as part of the filling of that and the
uh Kevin Mchugh our MS4 engineer if we need an engineer but it's very straightforward and as you've noted the Um uh ask me is uh
the same the clerical position. Soil board is level funded inspectional services. You'll see uh
I've got some things highlighted in yellow. I have to talk to Andy on. Andy and I had to meet today, but we were meeting on court cases and uh we didn't get a chance to get to this.
I apologize, but when our attorneys say they need things to file motions, we had to answer >> slightly more important. Uh
and uh but if you see it's not far off from last year and really I just par paired down some of the expenses.
I've got some questions as far as see various inspections and uh I want to check I think uh we might have a uh
money being spent out of one account that should be spent out of another for the expended right now. And so Jamie and I are going to run that down.
But we're we've been operating lean and we're still operating lean. uh quarter health brand new concept folks. >> Uh we're in just discussions and it's
only preliminary discussions but it's discussions nonetheless with the town of Rochester. That's why you see FY27 and FY27A. Yep.
And uh I can't say those figures are what we'll end up with because we're discussing whether we split a health
agent, whether we uh a Krishna has a health agent 60% of the time and Rochester has it 40% of the time. So 3 days, 2 days versus 2 and a
half. Uh the I put mid salary range there and splitting evenly just for discussion purposes.
Uh Joe has left if people don't know. Mhm. And uh the a number of towns are all buying into the concept that we
first introduced to you folks with the planner where you have full-time clerical staff and shared inspectional staff. Some communities have actually gone to
create one department uh where there's one department head and all of the inspectional functions are under that one department head who's full-time and the various
inspectors or agents are halftime or part-time. Mhm. >> So, you're creating a full-time position? >> No, they it's in a lot of communities, it's the building commissioner or the
building inspector who's the full-time department head of all of the and you'd have a part-time planner, a part-time health agent, and a part-time con
agent. as well as the various uh building inspectors, wire, plumbing, gas, and local inspectors. >> Sure. But you'd have a
full-time multi-clerical staff working in >> each town and uh well in and one major office but maybe two or three clerical staff that are all
crossrained among all the boards. We haven't got there yet, but but at least we'd have a full-time clerical person in each office so that when the folks from town come in, they have
someone there, even though the inspector or the agent might be out doing what they do. >> That makes sense. >> So, we've got two options here. One is
if we stay with it full-time and the other if we stay with it if we implement a shared and as you can see that would be a savings of course. >> Mhm. >> Would that um would that salary the
estimated salary um would include the benefits that we would overall trust for them? Uh in the agreement we would have it would be our employee. So we would be providing benefits. So
they would owe us >> and then they would reimburse us depending on that's what we do now. We have if you see in the planner department we have a line for benefits. >> Yeah. But since they would be our employees,
we would not need that line. It would be in our general benefit line, but we would be reimbursed by the other town. >> Okay. And we're seeing that even with three towns in the SoCo area
sharing some employees. Uh a fields board. Uh the we have to look at the salaries clerical cuz I think we're using part of that
right now for the minutes. >> Yeah. >> But I just I cut it but I still left an amount there. I think that might be that might be able to be reduced still,
but the rest of the expenses are pretty much what I consider in line. Part of the problem with a deliberative body like this and
advertising and all that is it all is dependent on how many appeals you have filed. So you budget a little rich in that because they have to advertise all of the
hearings. accessessor is same concept. The three highlighted areas are uh areas that I have to discuss with Kelly
and she and I have been missing each other. me with uh my schedule and she her with her schedule and the inspections. But
uh just to make sure that we're not getting any more increases in the licensing fees. As I said, COA I haven't had a chance to talk to Lauren because she was scheduled today, but Jeff Blake bumped
her. Uh, but as you can see, uh, it's either level funded or short money, and that's just a cola raise. recreation and parks. You can see some
of the cuts I've proposed. They're not large, but they are large considering the smallalness of the budgets. But I think as far as especially
salaries, I can fill the gap by having the uh folks that the youngsters that are paid out of those accounts be paid out of the yes account.
And I want to talk to uh the folks at recreation and parks, especially recreation to see if we can use the yes
money more since we use that from a different funding source. Are they advertising for a part-time employee? >> Yeah, I thought I saw it on a website.
>> Yeah. 20 or 30 hours. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> 18 to what? $18 to $20 an hour. >> But it looks like they haven't expended anything for the permanent position and more than they thought for the temporary. >> Yeah. >> To date. So he's had
>> that's landscaping in effect. >> Yeah. And you had a March or April 1st date for start. >> Yeah. But like a lot of the program counselors and stuff for the summer
>> I think probably should be paid out of the yes account >> rather than out of this cuz we're not ex year to year we're not expending totally the S care.
We are using this in a number of places here in our maintenance department and the town clerk's department and uh the
but we had kids that were doing painting up at the school. So we the program has fulfilled
what it should do. >> Mhm. >> But I think we can actually use it more for for some of the parks in recreation and maybe they can expand some of the offerings.
And I just kind of moved around Paul's uh account to make sure she has enough energy. Pauline has plenty of energy, but >> she certainly does
>> enough of the uh ever source type of energy. They are close to having another building accepted in the national register.
Where >> April March or April would be the United >> Yeah. >> the uh next >> Yeah. The fact that we've used kids from the S
program and we've used co-op kids from Old Colony has really helped us fill the gap in a number of places and uh been our maintenance area and the
recreation and arts area as well as helped with the school. So >> it's uh and other towns are looking at that type of thing because
we're getting really squeezed right now. And I'm hoping to get a lot of these smaller ones out of the way. if not at the 18th
at the 1st of March 4th when a few folks can vote on them so we can put them to bed and then we can start to concentrate
on the large items. Not to say they they might not be reviewed again, but if we can get like all these small ones out of the way. And then March 4th, we're going to start to
look at the fixed cost pensions, health insurance, and all that cuz we should have some preliminary figures by then. >> How's the insurance looking at? Looking up >> right now? Yeah, >> let's say 20%.
>> Damn. >> March 4th, I could tell you 15%. >> Or 12 and a half. >> So, is that anywhere from like a $200 to $300,000 increase?
>> Uh, it's >> depending on the >> 20%'s like a $400,000. >> That's what was in it last week, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But we're discussing how we might shake and bake the whole
stop loss that uh policies that we're looking at. Uh we got out of MSHG in time. I heard Franklin and Grafton are going
to the GIC and had been hit before they left with double premiums. >> So, but it's everywhere. I I know that
the group and I don't know the alphabet soup for the group that includes one of the regional school districts close to here and a couple of the towns in Soo
is very upset in looking at totally restructuring what they're doing for health insurance because the group they're in is imploding. uh problem with GIC is that they can change
the rates at any time in the year and at one year they changed it three times and uh they're turning out to be the uh insurer of last resort for
communities and the legislature What was it? $2 million or some big number they had to come up with just to keep GIC solvent. >> So, >> municipalities are restricted to those
companies obviously like we can't uh we can't hunt for >> that's what I've been doing. >> Yeah. But there are only so many insurance companies that'll write >> from useful tongue >> will write it all now days.
>> Yeah. Uh we're with HPI which is Health Plan Incorporated that's uh uses Harvard Pilgrim as the administrator but it's really the next
level and back of them where we're getting uh our stoploss insurance and our prescription insurance. We we're using Express Scripts now >> and Ken RX.
>> Yeah. And we're banking on rebates from some of that. And we're purchasing 90day uh we're encouraging 90-day purchases
from Canada. Hm. >> But we have to finesse the market because most of the even the joint
purchasing groups are getting hit. I imagine everybody is. Well, I'm waiting to see what's going to happen. If our plan
is better than Romney Care or Obamacare or whatever you want to call it, >> will people who aren't on our plan right now want to join
because uh well we as long as they're not on the uh weight loss drugs. >> Yeah.
>> Cuz that's a major cost center and we don't cover that. >> I think there'll be a lot of companies that'll cover that. There's >> a lot that will drop in as of January 1. >> Yeah. Yeah, Blue Cross was no longer going to cover that.
>> South Coast Health wasn't going to do it anymore. >> And it's only really the MA health insurance because the other insurance is voluntary insurance that is paid for totally by the employees. It's just had a group
break. the uh dental >> supplemental policy >> dental or vision. >> Oh, >> we have Etna for our wraparound for the retirees
and that's still knock on wood. The best deal in town. >> What split did the retirees pay? same as active or >> Oh, no. It's it's if they're not on Medicare, we pay the
penalty and put them on Medicare and then it's all uh supplemental wraparound. So they their primary insurer is Medicare and then it's for to cover the 20% that
Medicare doesn't cover. So, it's a lot cheaper than our active employees play. Uh $600 roughly off the top of my head, cheaper.
>> What if they're not on Medicare? What if they're 50 or 55? >> Then we have to put them on our regular plan, >> right? >> And what's the uh 60? >> Same as active.
>> Yeah. But there in the I forget the date but let's say the old days there were employees who worked in the public sector who didn't contribute
to Medicare. A lot of teachers in the old days did. And so we would rather pay the penalty, put them on Medicare because it's a lot cheaper for us.
>> I'm just retirees that are on a full plan. >> Huh? >> I'm just thinking of the retire retirees that are still on a full insurance plan. >> I just didn't know because I know those those splits have been changed in some places.
>> No, they they they're the same split as our active employees. Jamie, what budgets do we have on the agenda for next week? >> Uh, moderator, income,
>> accounting, next week, >> talking about the 18th. >> 18th. >> 17th. Yeah. >> Accounting. >> So, don't mind me. I'm just with the schedule right now. So, you put my glasses back on. >> Well, I don't have the schedule in front of me. I left the house and I didn't
bring anything with you. >> Uh um >> treasurer collector. >> Thank you. >> It uh veterans the town clerks three and then board of selectment legal
miscellaneous regional uh town buildings which are all under board of selected. >> Okay. All right. We're going to be in here in this build in this room
>> and then uh planning uh building >> and assessors >> and assessors. >> Okay. And I had a conversation with one member of the
board of health and he knows what's everything that's going on as far as that. And I I told him there would be a level funded budget both ways if we split and if we don't
split. Uh I talk to him Monday. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, thank you for the update and everything. Um, does anybody have any
old business to discuss? >> Also, we'll be coming in with the reserve >> request. >> Okay. So, on the 18th. >> Yep. Okay. >> Yeah. Becky a already uh came in because
someone told her I was recommending her budget be cut by $1,000 and I >> that is suicide. I'll tell you that right now. Well, I after I explained that no, I was going
to talk to you folks about asking for a reserve transfer >> because she's had so many bodies on ICE. >> Mhm. >> That uh I was asking for the $1,000, not cutting
the $1,000. And I made sure there was a table between us until I explained that >> that was a smart decision. That was a smart decision. >> Okay. >> And uh Lauren and I were going to
discuss today about the sprinkler system >> issue where we'll probably need 11 or 12. >> Yeah. >> What's wrong with the system? >> The uh sprinkler heads are re They were recalled. >> Oh, they were recalled. quite a while ago
>> and we missed the opportunity to get them replaced for free but under a week only. >> Well, yeah, just by a few years. >> Yeah. >> Not that we should recall a couple buildings, but
>> speaking of buildings, stuff with u the library, the memorial library, the old one. Uh we h had a meeting with our insurance company. >> Yeah.
>> To see if they would do a total appraisal for us while they were looking at the building. So we wouldn't have to I wouldn't have to pay for a full appraisal >> and then we could put it out to auction
it. And they were said they would yes provide us as of right now provide us with an appraisal because I didn't want to spend the fee that it would have cost
us to get the certified appraisal. >> Yeah. What about like the advertising for the positions that are vacant right now? What's the story with that right now? Uh tomorrow morning we have looked at all
the positions. We've looked at all the uh postings to make sure that they're accurate. >> Mhm. >> And that the salary ranges are proper and tomorrow morning we'll probably end up publishing a lot of them. There's one
or well like the board of health I'm still >> back and forth with Rochester on >> you have what eight or nine >> open positions. >> Yeah. >> Last week we said it was 10 to 12. >> Yeah. Yeah.
Uh I met with Pam today on we've got uh two potential positions that are in her office. I think one's 30 hours and one's 24. >> Mhm.
>> Uh we've got physicians and treasurer collectors. We've got uh custodial and maintenance positions. The uh libraries got the library always
has positions. It's a revolving door. >> Uh we just today hired a DPW driver. >> Mhm.
>> They hired us a water sewer. uh >> operator, >> huh? >> The water operator. >> Yep. >> Weeks ago. >> So, those are uh filled. Uh we've still got a couple department head
positions. Uh, I think we might have one more clerical position just off the top of my head. >> Is the TA getting reposted? >> Huh? >> Is the TA getting reposted?
Uh they're interviewing someone >> next or the 10th. >> The 10th. >> So not yet. I thought they were meeting with the search committee then. >> Huh? >> I thought they were going to meet with the search committee then. >> No, the I don't know when they're meeting with the search committee.
>> That's what they were saying at the meeting. >> This this individual uh originally had withdrawn but then asked to withdraw his withdrawal. Wait, what? >> He had withdrawn from consideration
>> because he was accept I think he was accepting a position in another town. He went into contract negotiations and then he contacted us and said if you hadn't filled the position could he still
interview and the board said yes. >> He was part of the original recommendation from the search committee. >> How's that going to work? >> I don't know. >> Okay.
>> Jamie, who's who services the uh the sprinkler system at the COA, by the way? Do we know what company? >> Um, typically it's Dartmouth Fire who normally does the annual inspection. >> Oh, it is. >> Who do the annual inspections? >> I was just curious cuz that's I know them.
>> Yeah. My son works for them. >> They caught it this year is when they finally told us. >> Okay. >> It's a good They're a good company. >> Shout out by D. >> Yes, that's right. There you go. Got to do a good job.
All right. Anyway, um, anybody have any old business to discuss? >> No. >> New business. Okay. Meeting minutes. Um Kathy, did you >> you didn't send those out, right? Okay. I didn't cuz I I didn't see them. Okay.
So, we'll take those up next time. >> Yep. >> Um next meeting date is not February 11th. It's February 18th. >> So, we got that straight now. >> I was confused. >> And it'll be uh it'll be right here in this room. >> Motion to second. All
>> in favor? I We are Heat. Heat.