Welcome to the town of air finance committee meeting on Thursday March 5th 2026 at 6 pm in the air town hall. Uh this is a hybrid meeting. Uh this meeting of the finance committee will be
held in person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation via Zoom is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting
hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in a specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus virtual
attendance accordingly. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID 978772822 or by calling 9292056099. For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly
Antineellis, assistant town manager atmirair.mma. us or 978-772822 extension 100 prior to the meeting. Okay, I'm going to call the uh meeting to order. Uh I will note that um
uh we have three uh members present. Uh Bob France, Eric Seekman, and Kurt Friscowski and Andrew Seoi is joining us by Zoom. Um first item on the agenda is we're redu reviewing two sets of minutes. Um
the first one um is actually for February 5th. So we can go ahead and there's copies for the members if you want to take a look see if there's any changes or notes on those. I looked earlier and didn't
see anything. >> I thought they were very thorough. that they are. >> Yes, they set they set a high bar for the uh other committees. >> I'm going to start calling it AE. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. So the February 5th meetings are minutes are approved as presented and then the uh other minute meeting minutes
we have are from February 19th meeting. Again I took a look at those earlier. I did not notice anything. Anyone else? A motion we accept the meetings from February meeting from February 19th. >> I'll second that. All those in favor?
>> I >> I >> Okay. Okay. So, I do believe we have February January 29th still outstanding >> meeting minutes. Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Well, we we can double check that, but
cuz I could be >> Oh, you have them listed right there. January 29th. >> Yeah. But that may be a thing where I carry the agenda forward and stuff. So we'll double check that and address that at our meeting on the 19th if needed. So
okay. Um committee updates. There is really um no uh updates besides uh capital planning made their presentation to the select board on Tuesday. So that was done and
then the rate review will make their presentation to the select board on oh my gosh I'm going I'm on the new website so I can't >> March 17th
>> March 17th will be the raid review uh we'll present to the select board. So that's the two items there. Okay. So for this evening, we've got the February 20 February fiscal year 2027 budget presentation for
the Department of Public Works. Joining us is Dan. >> Okay. Yeah. Uh Dan Scop here, the public works director. There's a copy if you guys need it. >> Um and thank you, Robert and Mr. Chair. We get the presentation ready to go.
>> Thank you. Um so I I basically updated last year's presentation uh for this year's proposed FY27 level services budget. So um here we go. Want to go to the next slide? So in I think a few years ago I looked
back I I gave a brief over overview of public works and what we do but um we pretty much have the same board makeup as as we did then. So it'll be a little shorter this year and we'll get right into budgets. Um, but I'll just mention Robert does a good job sending out a directive to all the departments. Uh,
when we prepare our budgets and and doing a level services budget to, you know, focus on our our needs, not necessarily wants and, um, and and creating this budget and we at DPW, we we really take that into account to, you know, do the most we can with our money and and, you know, basically treat it
like it's our own our own personal budget, even though it's the town's. Um so the first item is the administration budget under DPW and changes here are a reduction well a an increase in salary reduction in wages
and basically what's happening there and the wages we've had some a change in staff and the staff members who are present now are at a lower um step than the ones that were before um on the wage category and the salary is the same same
staff there. So, that's going up a little bit. Um, but other than that, I feel comfortable with the uh the budget the way it is. There's nothing special this year. Um, that's kind of a one-off or anything that I I feel we would need to make any changes um to the admin budget.
>> Sure. It's a little sh. Okay. Next up, the highway department. Can >> I just ask a question? Yeah. real quickly. Um, what what does un what does encumbered mean? >> Oh, so I don't even know why that showed there, but so what that is is at the end
of a fiscal year, if there are say say it's the end of FY25 and there's a contract we sign to purchase some equipment worth like $500. If we haven't received the equipment, but we know we're going to receive it in July after the fiscal year, we can
encumber those $500 through the finance office. And it it would obviously go through fin the encumberment. >> Uh done. >> No, select board. Select board. >> And so then you basically can take those FY25 funds and use them in FY26. So you
encumber those funds into the next fiscal year. Um so in in some cases it does show up here when when finance has prepared the budgets for me occas last last fiscal year. >> That's what that is. Yeah. >> Thank you very much.
>> Uh highway. So in here it's just uh the um the wages, overtime, clothing reimbursement. Those are all contractual obligations except in the overtime I did increase
that based on trends and I added $2500 um basically from the cemetery budget up into this budget because the highway division is now taking on uh burials and and work at the cemetery um which occasionally can happen on a a Saturday.
Um so that's why that has went up a little bit. You'll see it go down in cemetery when I get there. Um, line painting that has increased over the years. The bid last year was 27,000
and and that was our lowest bid and the contractor was not responsible. So, the second lowest bidder was actually higher. So, I'm anticipating us to have to use a little more there. So, I up that budget to 33 by a,000. Uh we'll see where those bids come in
this spring for FY26 and then uh that'll be helpful. And then we do have um $1,000. We have our for our guys there's a punchtime clock. There's a rental and subscription for that. So I just wanted to factor
that into the budget. It's a little more costly than it it used to be. Um so that's down in the expenses line item. Those are the the increases proposed in uh highway. Okay. But other than
that, our general services, supplies, I think we're we're in good shape with where those are at and and they've been uh trending well over the last 3 years. Um next budget equipment repair. Um so this is sort of I I like to call like an
extension of highway. Um, so our mechanic, he takes care of everything except wastewater items. So anything in in there would come through this budget. You know, it could get shared through some of the water assault waste budgets as well if if if it uh if we did so. Um,
but the wages here will go up for contractual purposes and the clothing reimbursement. But based on trends, I I think the rest of the um service of supplies we're we're in good shape with. We haven't taken on any new significant equipment or any any large numbers. I
don't feel like we need to increase it this year and we can still maintain the services we have um with this budget. >> So Dan just confirming so the increase in wages was due to union contract.
>> Yeah. The next one is the snow budget. Try to find my notes. What's Do you know what the symptoms are? >> Oh, here we go. Excuse me. Yeah. So, on the the snow
budget, um I did I proposed to update the overtime second line item from 77,000 to 80,000. And that's just um overtime for staff. So, anytime they're plowing on non-regular working hours, it's they they get they their salaries
their their salaries are charged toward um or wages are charged toward overtime. And so um they have been having increased pay rates with their contractual the contractual obligations with the union. So kind of just in turn the overtime is going to cost more. Um
so that's kind of increase on trend there. And then um in services I did at we so we have five contractors but we could potentially have a sixth assisting us with plowing. Um, and we have taken on a
several more roads over the years and we haven't increased the contractor numbers and uh, since I've been here, I think. Um, so this would be, you know, a helpful ad and I estimate about 5,000 a year is what we would spend on an additional contractor.
Um, so that's the proposed increase there. Um, it's not shown on here. One thing I am looking at is the salt and sand. You know, this year is kind of an outlier. We've spent a lot this year and we're keeping a close eye on FY26 budget because it's going to be coming in
close. Um so we may want to consider in a future draft, we may want to consider um increasing salt and sand um as well. Um it's hard to foresee what the cost will be come next fall for the salt and sand, but
>> the unit cost to to sort of project it, but it's hard to foresee how bad a winter we'll have. actually. Oh yeah, I put that in the top note on the right. General snow is hard to trend. >> It depends on each season. >> So yeah, but um that's the snow budget
question. Yeah. >> Um how are we fairing against the fiscal year budget >> this for FY26? >> So right now I checked it in on January 30th. I did a check. It was really close >> and in February it's gotten a little
over, but we still have until the end of June. So, it's kind of projecting it. You know, it's it's going to be one that I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up over and we have to do something about it, >> but we're kind of tracking it right now. Um, obviously tonight isn't going to be
helpful in supporting the budget, >> right? >> But, you know, we we we try to be as efficient as we can and we do what we need to do. we don't over overdo it. Um but if you just have a tough year, you can it can happen. It has happened before where we've gone over
>> and as the committee knows it's the one budget that you can quote deficit spend. So what would happen and there are other options but historically if it does go over uh which it has at times 2015 and so forth
>> um we could deficit spend that amount and what happens is you make it up on the recap sheet meaning it would hit the free cash of the next year. Um >> okay >> so we are watching that closely. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I did alert the select board to it
the other night too just so they know where people keeping an eye. I figured that was a cage. >> Yeah. >> Question. >> Yeah. >> If uh so this year obviously, you know, we're not worried about having leftovers. Um but let's say, you know, you have years where we just don't get
much snow. It's a really mild winter. Um what happens to that excess? Is it sort of carried over to next year or >> it reverts back to the general fund? >> It goes back to the general fund. Yeah. goes back to the general fund in the
form of free cash. So >> yeah, >> I don't think that'll be the case this year, but you're correct, >> Eric. In previous years, he hasn't used it. It it falls to free cash. >> So when another way of looking at would be that we've had before this winter,
we've had two previously relatively wild mild winters >> and we have also had two healthy free cash allocations the last two years. So in other words, part of that healthy free cash
>> growth in free cash was some leftover some. >> Yeah, there would be a piece of it. >> A piece of it would be from the >> Yeah. >> snow stuff that wasn't used. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Just trying to follow the trail. >> Okay. Next, um budget item under DPW,
street lighting. Excuse me. Um so in this it's a pretty straightforward budget. So we we began owning the street lights I want to say it was 2016 um when we took ownership of those from National Grid. We converted to LED and
so now we operate and maintain them as well. Um so we have a contract with DEL Electric to do regular maintenance. If we have outages I'll I'll have them out. Um good thing is the LEDs last pretty long. So we're doing really good with the FY26 budget. I don't have the
numbers up there but it's probably our strongest budget right now in FY26. Um but um based on the trends and and how much we've been spending, I don't see any reason to to make any changes to the budget. It's uh I think we're in good shape.
>> Um Dan, is the actual So let's say does we get the power from National Grid is that in covered by services or is the power to power? >> Yeah, it is covered under here. Um yeah, under services we do pay um this they do
charge us a a fee for the street lights. Yeah. >> So I mean that's for the cost >> it comes out of here. Yeah. >> Yeah. Fuel budget. Um fueling station is at DPW. It's for all town vehicles um that use it. So other departments use it as
well. Um so the future outlook you can see in my comment on the right is relatively flat looking at the next year ahead. Now this is before the whole issue with Iran started. Um so I don't know you know oil has been going up recently in the short term but I don't
you know in the future it was looking like we would have a a normal year of fuel. So I I left the budget where it was um um thinking we could we could take it on and you know we haven't taken on many if if any you know extra vehicles as to what fleet we have in our
fleet for town. So >> um so that's where it's at right now. You know there could be some consideration if if we see projections of oil heading up but it's kind of hard to outlook that right now. >> Okay.
>> Question. Yeah. I have a question. So, is the uh you're taking on fuel under the DPW budget, do you um send an invoice to the other community? >> So, we we actually do. Yeah, they do. So, you see fuel other departments will
get a negative value in there. >> Um and they um it's the the finance folks. I'm not exactly sure how how Barbara and uh Carrie do it, but they do ch make a charge to the other departments, take it out of there and pull it put into ours. And that's under your under your budget. So
>> yeah, it's under DPW. So we'll get a negative there. And then we have our budget. And um yeah. >> Okay. >> It's not a significant amount. The other other um departments spend police spends a lot. >> So I said is police and fire fuel up at
at the DPW? >> Yeah, both police and fire. >> Okay. Really diesel is mostly us and fire and gasoline is like everybody else and we use it too. But >> yeah, we have a diesel and gasoline dispensers.
>> Would that fuel DPW essentially be the DPW trucks, fire trucks, and the police cars? I'd have to check with Barbara exactly what other departments are are coming in, you know, are coming in as a negative to in into this budget, as a
revenue into this budget, but it's not, you know, looking at the numbers, they're not significant. So, I I I would think it's more like, you know, hypothetically, I think it is more than DP. I think police and fire probably included in there, too. >> Um, but I would have to double check
that with Barbara. Okay. So, cemetery. So, I kind of mentioned this in the first at the beginning. Uh the highway division is now taking over burials, um other upkeep, anything. We we do have a contractor who does the grass mowing and
trimming around all the um monuments and springfall cleanup, things like that. But other than that, the highway division is taking over all the duties there. So, um, so you'll see cemetery wages. We used to have help. I I noted David Dean. He was our cemetery superintendent, temporary employee who
helped us kind of transition to this point. So, he's no longer with us. So, we can reduce that wages budget. I did take the overtime out of here and moved it up into highway. Um, services. Um, we have a new contract
bid, a bid going out this year for a three-year contract for the maintenance at the cemetery. Um, and so I don't have that number yet, but I obviously anticipate to be higher than FY26. So, we put an increase of 4,000 to make sure
we're covered. And then supplies, just based on trends. And now that we've been operating the cemetery since 2022, we're kind of getting an idea of what we really need and don't. And I think we can reduce that budget down. question. >> Yeah.
>> Uh where are the uh fees go for the plots? I assume there's a >> charge for plot, right? >> Yeah. So there are fees. So everything goes into the general fund and this is a general fund budget. The only thing that
doesn't are when we sell a lot. When you make that lot sale, there's a a Massachusetts law chapter 114 that allows you to have a perpetual care fund. Mhm. >> And so it right now it's $1,500 for a lot sale. $1,000 of that goes to
the general fund. 500 goes to a this perpetual care fund, which is a fund that the town can keep separate and it's meant just for cemetery purposes and and maintaining the cemetery. >> And that's is this part of this is that part of this budget or is that a separate?
>> Um no. Oh, like so so the budget because it comes out of the big hole general fund. It's really the revenue from the cemetery, you know, it just goes into that big hole general fund. So you don't see it that way really. I think what we've done with the commission is we've
set the rates in a way to try to break even um based on the number of burials we have a year. So that's what we did when we set the rates a couple years ago. Okay. >> Um yeah, I don't know if you had something to add, Robert. Oh, I was just going to say through the chair we could get for
the committee, you know, through Barbara the accounting on the perpetual care fund. So interest. >> Yeah, I'll get that. I'll make it a note as a followup. >> I mean, that and theoretically, wouldn't we be able to dip into that for
cemetery charges? I mean, cemetery upkeep. Um, I don't know the exact process because we've never done it, but >> yeah, I mean, yeah, we'll follow up and get you that information. >> Good question.
>> So, there's there's tech there is a separate bucket of >> Yeah. >> perpetual cemetery funding. >> Yeah. When we got the cemetery from the private company, they there was some money put into it at that time. Another certain amount of money put into the >> first budget and Yeah. So there's there
was already money to start within it and anything we've been getting for revenue or lot sales goes into it. >> And this is the cemetery by Halltown, right? >> Yep. >> Yep. >> And uh this is the last general fund budget, the tree warden budget.
Um so the only change here is police details. We have had to spend a little more in the last few years and I anticipate some more work on the main roads where we would need them um in the upcoming years with plantings and trimmings. So I recommended increasing
that by a thousand but we have dropped the services was a little higher a year or two ago couple years ago when we were doing a lot more tree removals but we've since removed all the high medium and low priority dead trees that were in our our asset management plan. So, we're
getting more into a maintenance and a planting type of a a posture now. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> I was just going to ask that you have a private company doing the the tree pre.
>> We don't do any on our own. Um, you know, it's something I could I've been thinking about at some point in the future maybe be something to do in house. We haven't had headed down that road yet. >> Yeah. I thought it would be more cost use these guys. >> Yeah. Well, I'm thinking of equipment and then insurance.
>> Bucket truck and yeah, there's a lot that goes into it. I haven't haven't looked a lot into it yet and um but something that potentially Robert I could consider as we continue in the future >> that's under this project. >> Yeah. >> Does this if it's a quote unquote state
road, would this the tree does the state kick in any money for trees? >> Yeah, we don't. If the state owns it, it wouldn't be on us at all. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. So, like Littleton Road or Fitchburg Road as you're heading out. State stateowned road. Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Okay. I think we're heading Yeah. Enterprise budgets now. >> So, enterprise budgets, as you know, these have rates. These are not funded through the tax base. So, water enterprise operating budget um is the first one I have on here.
And you'll notice that the is it the wa the wages are dropped. The salary goes up a little, wages go down a little. That's again um the salary is the same staff and and they're increasing for their their next year. They increase their salary. And we do
have a lot of new staff um in the wages column or row is why that number is going down. So they they're getting paid at a lower step than the previous staff who had been there were. um clothing reimbursement that goes up
per contract with the union. Um and so then we got water trying to look over services. So asking for a $5,000 increase. We do um have additional backflow survey services that we require this year. Um I
would ignore the it says electrical panel for washing tank shed. We're not going to do that this year. So, that wasn't included in there. Um, the next line item, which is utilities, 6,000. We do have an annual fee now with our our water, sewer, and
storm water um uh software that we use. Um, and we're splitting that between the the three budgets. So, that's 6,000. And then what we'd like to do as well is increase the maintenance of wells
budgets by 10,000 to 60,000. So Kimberly kind of wrote in here in the notes that it's about 50,000 for us to do three wells, but then we'll have zero contingency if if something were to come along while we're cleaning those wells. And and kind of taking a step back, we
clean two or three wells every year because then it it cleans the well screen out, cleans the area, and we get our capacity back, production from that well. So we have to do it at least every every other year in a well. Um so it's an important task we do. Um but the idea
would be to make sure we have some contingency funding there by bumping that up. The next budget I propose for increase is the supplies budget and we do need two new backwash valves
and those that's a one-year thing. So that's about 19,000 as well as this goes back sort of the electric panel. But this is uh kind of the first step just to to take care of the the shed we have up at Washington Street tank which which houses some of our equipment is in poor
condition. So we just need some building materials to get it by for a little while before we make a you know an upgrade to it. >> Question. >> Yes. >> You said the the the backwash valves were a yearly thing. Uh, no. It's a
one-year thing. It'd be something we would do this year. I see. Thank you. >> I have a question. >> Yeah. >> Is there a schedule of replacement for pumps, for example, because you got a a
routine schedule for various pieces? >> Um, so we we don't have a good formal one. We so what we do have an asset management plan we had put together by CDM a little while ago but the upkeep of it hasn't been the best with our pumping stations. We did just go through a
process of a master plan with those and so we have a really good idea what to do with those. >> Um at the plants the wastewater plants in good shape cuz we're going through a 5-year upgrade. So that's been accounted for. >> Um and the wastewater pump stations the the water stations. Um, we do have a
master plan there, but not necessarily a, you know, a very detailed plan about when to replace what pumps when. Um, we kind of have just been, um, you know, not having a formal plan, but having a a plan of, all right, this pump's been in service for so long, we maintain so
long, we have to replace it this Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. Um the next line item was up going down the um $4,833 in the red was other expenses. So LA last year was a um a renewal year. So
there's a lot more training for all the staff. Um so we projected to move that down for this year. Um and then as you get below that, it gets into some of the the sort of financials rather than the the expense items from um the DPW um you
know administers through the budget. The indirect cost reimbursement, operating reserve, capital debt, um admin fees, debt principe Barbra completes as we understand what the debt interest is and indirect costs
um coming into the budget. So I have updated those here from her as well. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Question at the the top the the waterfront salary you said was you know regular increases or whatnot but it's
23%. It doesn't um >> isn't it a portion of the salary though? >> It's a portion of the salary. >> Mhm. I don't know why it's 23%
year-over-year. Oh, yes. Um, so we recently the department, so it's half of the water and sewer superintendent. So her salary is going up. Um, and then one/3 department assistant. The department assistant has moved from 32 hours to 40
hours. So that would account for some of it. Um, but I'd have to dig into the weeds to find out if there's anything else going on. Is it a change in that if it is um
>> uh attributed like was it was it was half was half of the water superintendent's um salary on it last fiscal year? >> It was. Yeah. Yeah. And it would have been a third of the what at the time was a billing and office assistant. Um,
which was less hours and a lower pay, but not significantly lower. Um, so I could dig into the weeds in that one and find out exactly why there's such a change. >> That would be great. >> Yeah.
>> And you'll see the same under sewer cuz both of them are split water and sewer. So um you you all set Eric? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So looking down towards the bottom, we look at the amount change and
there is a a deficit. Um now is that that's going to be covered. I'm going to put my rate review hat on. When we did the rate review, um we are doing a
and I I believe we're doing a 3% increase. Yeah, I pull I was pulling up >> and but then we're also pulling 350,000 from retained earnings and then as I remember from rate view part of that was
to cover that 45,000 and >> yeah I think that this is a little different really get the point but the it's comparing FY26 to >> Oh that's right. That's right. Okay,
this is in cash flow. Okay, >> so the big one here, transfer to capital projects hasn't that went down to zero, >> right? >> You have to ask Barbara, you know, sometimes she'll take it right out of the budget, the capital instead of having it as a separate capital item.
>> And then this one will probably change indirect cost reimbursement. for now. Barbara said to carry the same number as last year, but that could go up and some of that's based off of wages um that get charged to the to the fund, right?
>> So, this number could go up a bit. I don't think that's still going to be zero. >> Yeah. >> Um >> so that shows you reduced the budget from last year by 45,000 or 2,000. >> I apologize. >> Yeah. That's I am mixing up cash flow
with >> Yeah, I hear you >> with this. >> So, um to restate for the record, >> this budget is showing the overall budget going down 2%. >> Yeah. which is which is and you can
strike the um the idea that we were using um anything for the capital reserves that that has to different than this. Yeah. >> Okay. I apologize.
>> Okay. >> I think Yeah. Next is wastewater or sometimes we call it sewer. Um, oh, hands up. Um, so on here, I think it's very similar to water.
We do have that. Oops, I'm in the wrong. Yep. The 23% increase, which I'll look into as why for the salaries. You'll see the wages come down. That is also a primary driver of that is we have new staff, younger staff, lower stepped in
positions. Um, that's the primary driver there. um overtime. Um and Kimberly had noted here, I worked with her, the budget hasn't changed in over 3 years. The good thing is we're off of the twoman rotation. It's good for the guys and
when they're getting paid overtime, the calculation for OT, they actually get paid a little more. Um but we do have some future night repairs we know of coming next fiscal year. So recommend a slight increase there. clothing would be contractual
um sewer fund services. So, we do what's going on at um it says 12,000 in the comments here. 12K to upgrade three missions. So, what the missions are there are our SCADA system
for the pump stations. So, we have 19 pump stations in town. At each each station, there's one of these devices and it communicates to the internet through cellular to tell us what's going on at the station. If it's online, if there's an emergency, it alerts you with
an alarm. Um, and so those the software and hardware is becoming outdated. We've replaced I think three of them to date, but we got to kind of start phasing and replacing more before they get obsolete. Um, and so that's what that in 12,000 is
of that 22,000 is for in that line item. And then the other thing is we do need to vac factor out the muffins at main and central. So basically those the muffins they are where the the waste water comes into these pump stations. Main and central are two largest. Um
they go into a wet well, but before they go into that wet well they go through a muffin monster they call it. and it basically scrubs and gets all the debris and all the items out before it goes in there and gets into a pump and then gets and clogs up a pump. Um, so we do have
to clean those out and that's why she noted here. Um, 25K with a question I think right now Kimberly was still quoting it, but um, but we felt comfortable right now having a $22,000 increase in that line item in total.
Once again, the 6,000 for the the software UB4. One item I should point out, it has a zero here right now. Line item sludge removal. So, we have current budget in FY26, 300,000 proposed for FY27, the
same 300,000. We do have a contract out to bid and bids are being opened on March 26th. So on March 26th, we will know if um how bids come in and whether we may want to make a change to that 300
for the better or for the worse. Um next item with an increase we have supplies 7,500 and so Kimberly noted in the comments $8,000 for a truck sander. Um so we would that would be something we add to
the back of one of our trucks. Wastewater is the only division that doesn't have it. Well, Salt Waste doesn't either. Um, but they use it at their satellite stations. That's where they would use it. And also, um, our landscape trailer has, um, gotten in poor condition. So, we need to do some
repairs. So, she put in 2500 for that as well. Comfortable with putting 7500 total to to complete those upgrades within within that 130,000. And then again the same thing with with wastewater. All the licenses for the
staff uh this year we project um to be more of a down year. It's not a renewal year. Um so reducing those funds 5,833. And then the other values are are more finance related after that line item.
>> Okay. Um, I do have a question on the uh, and again, I know Barbara isn't here, Robert. I don't know if you might be able to speak to it, but as I So, on this debt and interest, the sewer debt interest is going down.
Sewer debt principle is going up. I'm guessing that is because we're paying down debt. >> Mhm. >> Early. Yes. >> Okay. So, by paying that debt down
early, you save on interest. >> Yep. >> Okay. And Mr. Chair, I can have Barbara I'll have Barbara um >> if she could clarify. Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm just making a note on that.
>> Okay. Okay. And then and then the TR and if she can clarify the transfer to capital. >> Mhm. So is that that's an expense that we are now going to borrow to pay. Is
that how that works? >> No. So that'll come out. So this is the sewer operating budget. So it'll come out of our our current sewer funds. And what it is, it is there are two items in the capital budget. One of them is 90,000, the other's 20,000,
but I don't remember exactly which items. >> Yeah. see if I can find them. The tertiary filters, it's really like every other year we need to replace those. That's 20,000 and a wastewater pickup truck is 90,000. So, we could get
more clarity from Barbara on on, you know, why we pay it out of the sewer operating budget in this way rather than >> Yeah. a capital item per se, but um but that's what the 110 is is >> but yeah, I think that the big question
is is that again glancing at the numbers and and and knowing that Barbara is usually very good at >> paying down debt, I just want to confirm that that's what's happening there with the the sewer debt interest and principal because I was just doing some
quick math here. Um the net of those two entries the -231461 uh against a increase in principal of 365474 is 134,000. So we're spending another 134,000 to pay down principal.
If you back that out, that lowers that 168,000 increase to the budget down to about 24,000. >> Mhm. So my takeaway is that looking at this right now, there's a 4% budget
increase, but if you set aside that principal payment or you know take that out, >> your the rest of the budget is really only going up maybe some one or 1.2%
your actual dayto-day budget. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I will have Barbara clarify and confirm that. Mr. Chair, >> good question. >> I think some of it probably deals to with the timing of the borrow. Like
right now, we have the phase 4 upgrade, but >> we've only really borrowed enough right now to do the design phase. Tell Barbara, "Hold on, hold on." Cuz construction isn't, you know. So, it might be the timing of that, you know, next FY27 we'll be getting into construction. So it could be why the
principles jumping up too. >> Yeah. Which is like so just to so looking at water and sewer. So when we looked back if you want to could you go back one um Robert? >> Sure. >> So we saw a drop in the water budget of
2%. And um and then go up back to water. That is what water wastewater is increasing but a good portion of that is for debt service. So my takeaway besides
the salaries that you noted, Eric, which you you'll address, overall the department budgets are or this enterprise fund budgets are being are pretty level. There isn't a big great big increase.
>> Yeah. Yeah. The debt's a big drag. >> Yeah. The debt and the personnel of the >> Yeah. >> Okay. uh solid waste enterprise budget. Um so the changes in this budget um one
thing is the the first one over time the wages something's not right there I'll have to double check on the wages on them >> so I'll waste >> they have but really you know that would
be part of it But I think it's still too low. I'm just noticing this now. But um the overtime I I I recommend reducing that because the the hours did go down. Um there, you know, rarely is overtime at the station. It's only if we really got
to take care of something or before the station opens and or if a vendor can't make it during the week for whatever reason, we have to go over and the guy's got to a lot of minutes. you know, union based, so I can't try not to make that happen, but it can. Um, so really that
would $7,000 should be healthy for overtime. Um, let's see. Amount change $50. That's the clothing. So, that's part of the union contract. Solid waste services, I I propose increasing that $3,000.
Um, we do have landfill monitoring coming up and that will be increasing. It increases every year. We haven't increased it in a little bit for that. And then just a general increase in cost for services. Um,
so solid waste recycling removal. I projected on that budget proposed reducing that 3,000. Um, yeah, it's from 77,000 to 74,000. If we trended over the last 3 years, we've been around 65,000
and even FY25, the actual spend was 62,000. So that the price for recycling, you know, it's been much more favorable market to remove recyclables. At one point years and years ago, we used to actually get paid for them. Um, so just
based on trends, I recommend moving that down. It's I think we'll be okay um going down 3,000. will still be healthy enough. And then the rest I know um just working with Barbara we haven't been able to fill in those yellow columns yet. Those
are really financiven items. The cost reimbursement down to the capital project. >> Question. >> Yeah. Um, I don't know if you're the person to ask about this, but um,
what would be, since we're talking about recycling, what would be the change in cost if we changed recycling from single stream to something else? I just don't I don't I don't have that
much confidence that single stream is that effective in actually recycling materials. You know what I mean? Like I think a lot of >> you know it just gets >> you know >> Yeah. >> It it disappears. >> Now I haven't done the analysis but like
Harvard they separate a more than us air where's zero stream um single stream and Groten is that's like separate like glass brown clear green like they have everything separated. So that there can be advantages. Um the other side of it,
there's capital cost to be able to do that to create all the different areas to receive the different materials and there's more there can be more maybe not so more hauling but you know there could be more hauling costs. So long story
short I haven't done an analysis on it but it's something to potentially look at. um just in general at the top of my head I feel like the capital cost will be pretty significant to to build the infrastructure there to do it. >> Um but like right now we do separate
cardboard from the rest of the recycling. So we do pay a separate price for that. So you know that's been helpful especially when cardboard was much more favorable than the rest of recyclables. But um but that's a good good point I'd say there. Yeah. Um, Dan,
would didn't we have that out to do the study on the transfer station a couple years ago? Would that have some notes on Eric's question? >> Thank you, Fleet. >> I can't. Yeah, we had we had a looked
they did a whole analysis. >> I don't think they looked at changing the >> recycling there, >> but I could look back at that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that would be a good starting point. Yeah. Maybe just then maybe just shoot us uh the link >> cuz yeah they did a whole study of the
transfer station operation and everything. >> Okay. So she's uh is are we are going to see we'll need to see an updated up on this operating budget. >> Yeah. And the the yellow rows. Yeah. next version of the budget. You would
definitely see those completed. >> Um go to the I think we're at the last one. Storm water enterprise fund. Um the only changes from last year's budget would be the increase for the UB4
software and the services line item. You know, it's we're we're still in the infancy of this budget and we've been able to already do a lot more this year proactively. So, it's it's been good. um so far in 26, but I don't see any need to make any changes for the for 27.
And this one again, yeah, the yellow rows will need to be filled in. Okay. >> But do do we think that in general that these budgets won't be going up? >> Increasing >> storm water. >> Um no, no. The uh solid waste, in other
words, solid waste, storm water will be add. >> Oh, if in like a future draft of the budget. Yeah, >> I don't think so. No, >> I mean, but most >> we Yeah. And usually we start out, you know, trying to get it do as much as we can to keep the service as much as we can and then we try to skimp a little if
we can. So, I don't I don't see anything going up. Oh, when the yellow rows get filled in. Yes. Sorry. That then it would Yeah, the indirect cost capital. But about the items that are non yellow that I've filled in, those would not go up
>> relative to the current budget. You expect an increase on those yellow line items or is that >> Oh, relative to the current. >> Yeah. >> In the forecast, >> it' probably be a slight increase. Usually indirect costs go up a little
bit cuz those relate to salary and and charging certain portions of salaries there >> um of insurance. Yeah. So, that would a little but the uh the rest I don't think would No, dead interest principle could go up a little. It could go up a little. Yeah. >> All right.
>> Yeah. >> Hard to say like that. >> Yeah. Hard to say. I I don't think it would be significant to go up a little. >> And there's no is the rate review committee on the 17th is recommending no
rate increase on storm water. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So that's uh that's it. Okay. Any other questions from the the committee? Andrew
uh on the DPW presentation. Okay. Uh hearing none. Uh do we have any public? >> I just have one. Um >> hi Sarah. >> Hello. Sarah the 11. Um so the water enterprise fund budget here on page five. I think it's it's
really tiny, but it's the MCMT admin fees. Um I think it's like $6,000. I I really I just can't see it right the second. Um yeah, you it's like third from the bottom. Can you just talk a little bit
about those? I think it's the first year it says. >> Yeah. So what this is, it's Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. Um, and Kimberly did note in here, new line item taken from another debt service.
>> So, so what we've done is we've taken it out of, you know, showing it in the the debt interest or the debt principle to show on its own. Um, and Kimberly has done that working with Barbara, but it's related to the um
um this the potential that we're looking into a water man extension from um um why am I blanking on the term the reservoir? >> No, this is is this to do with was it
last year? Yes, that that >> and we joined air joined or is planning to join the Massachusetts >> Water Trust. >> Yeah. Um MW that's what I MWR. >> So that's related to that. Okay. >> And that's basically >> debt interest from that capital item
that was done last year. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Honestly, it helps me even if I get like a little closer. I have some exposure to it. So >> yeah. No, no. This is I'm glad you brought No, because um it's interesting.
So, yeah, you presented that you and S um your Sarah Kimberly works with you. Kimberly presented We joined. Did we not join or >> we have we've done the we we're currently doing an application and and still,
>> you know, we're still going through that process. >> Yeah. And this would give us uh if we become a member of this access to state water in if need be. >> Yeah. This Yeah. This would be like a 20 year down the road thing if it ever came
here. Um and so really we're working with a a you know conglomerate of different towns and looking at this whether it's feasible or not and uh if it makes sense for for air to join. >> There are other benefits too when you're in MWR. There's trainings, there's
technical assistance, things like that that you get as well. So, um, it's been a while. We haven't given an update on in a while, but it' be good to get Kimberly to a good thing. >> And just to point out, we're in the study phase. >> If it would be determined that we would
actually join, it would take an active town meeting. We're not there yet, but you know. Yeah. So, town meeting would have to approve the membership. Right now, we're just looking at the feasibility, >> right? Yes. I think it's a Yeah, it's good. It's um you know, the town since I
think 1969 been looking for water sources throughout town and you know, we have a new one we're potentially going on near Speck Pond, but um but it's always good to to have the options out there and and vet this one. >> And and the reason that it it came to my memory so quick is that there was actual
article in the Globe this I think either last week or this week where We got in early. Apparently, it's not easy to get into that now. >> Oh, yeah. You're right. Yeah, you had there was a cut off date. We signed before >> and some people are like, "Oh, we should
have signed up for this." So, >> yeah. >> So, yeah, it's good for future growth and as I remember, okay, but that's so that's that cost is is associated. Yeah, they're showing the admin fees from that that work.
Okay, just broken out. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> No, no, that was it. >> Okay, great. Oh, I don't see any other questions. Um, all right, Dan, thank you
very much. >> No, thanks. Yeah, anytime. And can come back if you need it. >> Yes, appreciate it. >> And we'll get those follow-up answers. We got the list. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> And uh just we mentioned but actually before me, but actually on the record,
thank you to the uh the snow crews. >> Oh yeah. >> God bless them. >> Yeah, I know. They've been working hard this year and I've let them know and they've heard it from a lot of people and we really appreciate it. >> Yeah, they'll be out there again tonight. >> Mhm. >> A little later.
>> But they must be happy. >> Oh, extra help. >> Yeah, they they do get paid. That's true. >> Yeah. So, >> they are working hard long hours, but they are getting >> It's like people that work in paving and landscaping and stuff like that. They, you know, they look forward to stuff like that in the winter. So,
>> yeah. Yeah. Some of the guys are really loving it. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, very good. Right. Thanks, D. >> Okay. Um, moving on. We've gone through public input. So, schedule next meeting.
Um, so our next meeting is going to be Thursday, March 19th. Now, we had a police department scheduled and he'll still be doing his presentation and um, Robert confirmed that the Dr. Ranada
will be joining us to do an updated presentation on the Earl Air Shirley Regional High School District. So, we'll get an update on that budget there. Um and then we'll also um take a look at
the free cash uh at that meeting. So there'll be fire police department, Air Shirley Regional School District and free cash and uh so that's going to be a busy meeting. And then that's on Thursday. And then
Wednesday, March 25th is the public our first public forum on the uh FY 2027 with the select board. That's on a Wednesday the 25th. >> Okay. Okay,
>> Andrew >> like to make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I thank you. >> Good night, everybody. >> Good night. Good night, Andrew.