welcome to move around and set up the taste if you have any Dean might come here please. >> Thank you. Okay, I'll leave a seat. >> Thank you. Okay, >> it is 7:03 on Thursday, January 8th,
2026, and I will call the finance committee meeting to order. >> Thank you. >> This is a hybrid meeting and it is being recorded. I have with me in the room from the finance committee, Gar Morris, Andy Alderman, Peter Twining, and
myself, Sarah Melish. I don't see anybody from the finance committee on Zoom. Lori may join us. >> The airplane. >> He thinks he was going to land in
Buenosaris in time. >> He obviously I'll take it. He obviously because that's got 20 billion or 200 million whatever is maybe slightest one on here. >> Okay. Um so our first order of business
is to get have the town administrator just update us on the overview of operations and capital budget development. So, I handed out the slides, just the last two pages of that slide deck that I
emailed to you. I think it's helpful to kind of have them both side by side. Um, really high level kind of generally a generally big picture discussion that we talked about at the select board meeting on Monday night.
uh our operating budget uh the biggest issue in our operating budget uh is the school budget. >> You know, we're 794,000. Actually, I think that's a little bit less now. We were able to we had, you
know, that see the 43489 of we put that into the school budget. So, it's 794 minus that. >> But you'll you have that in your other packet. >> Okay. Here's Dean. Hi, Dean. >> Dean, >> that one's open. Dean,
>> we saved that for you. Um, as you remember, uh, you know, there's a number of things that are driving kind of the the operating budget and that that are, uh,
significant increases over last year, which is health insurance, uh, trash hauling and school budget for the most part. But so in the op on the operating budget, our biggest issue right now is the school budget. But even
with that $700 something thousand less than what they requested, it does represent a 3% increase or about $525$550,000 over last year's amount. And looking at
past budget cycles around 3 and a half% was the standard increase for the school in at least the initial budgets. Yeah. >> So we are in line with what we've done in the past but still uh significantly
below what they requested. On the other slide is the capital looking over capital. So what we started to look at was are there capital items that are in the taxation column or the fund balance
column that could be shifted uh in order to free up some of the those funds for the school budget. As you can see the 150 for Bennett Street reconstruction is highlighted there. That's something that we could move into the tap and street
reconstruction question and then that would give us another $150,000 to uh potentially solve some of that school budget issue. Um we didn't I I went through the the
larger list of capital with the select board. We've already done that as a group. So, I'm not I don't you know, unless you want to, we don't I don't think we need to really go in depth here, but that's kind of where we're at right now. Also, um we were looking at
OPED, as I mentioned in my email. Uh right now, we have $360,000 uh to go towards OPED. Um Andrew's done an updated analysis of where we stand with OPB and what our
options are. Uh we're we're actually doing really well in that regard. Um, we could keep that at 360 and once a year from now when we get our new actual uh >> valuation
>> valuation uh it could show that we don't owe anymore uh because of how well the interest is performing. Uh but an analysis of today, where we are today, if we put another 60 grand
towards OPED, it could really put us over the mark where we wouldn't have to um we would have our our funded our commitment funded at that point potentially >> and therefore not an an obligation for
additional contribution next year in 28 28. >> So that would be 230,000 total >> 420. It's really just our backlog of contributions that won't be up to date, >> right? >> Well, it's the the funding for
the the retirees who are no longer employees, >> right? >> Can can I just >> Yeah. >> demonstrate my stupidity. What does OPEM stand for? >> Other post employment benefits. >> Thank you. And and just to set the stage
for people who may be newer on the finance committee, um when we started funding OPED, which do you know what year that was? >> Was before I started here. So before 2009.
>> Okay. So we had residents write letters to the Cricut and stand up at town meeting saying that the finance committee was derelct because we were not funding the oped benefits and that
was am I right Andy and that was the impetus for us to start funding and that's why we've been a little more aggressive than required by the schedule because we felt that we should respond to those discussions.
>> Again, I I won't labor much longer. If we don't fund it, how does it get paid? >> Well, out of the budget. >> So, what we're doing is we're creating a trust fund. >> Okay. >> And once we fully paid for the unfunded
liability for previous retirees, >> Yeah. Then we can start paying the premiums for all retirees out of the trust fund and just offset it by a normal cost which would be the cost to
fund current active employees for their retirey benefits. And it's I think it's about 400,000 of premiums for retirees. >> Yeah. >> Um so that will help our budget enormously. Um,
>> we're not we're not special in this way. It's it's it's prevalent throughout the state. We're actually, as we've understood it, we're we're doing pretty well. >> And how are we planning to fund OPED >> taxation
>> taxation? So that's why, you know, as I talk about shifting some things out of capital things out of taxation to free up general fund money to account for the school, OPED's one of those things that is funded out of taxation and looking
forward to even the following fiscal year um accomplishing our goal would provide benefit the following fiscal year. Uh so we kind of are in this um >> accomplishing the goal meaning funding
at the 40 420 >> 420. >> Yeah. >> Now in Andrea's discussions today with uh with Dan from our >> Sherman actuarial engine. Um it's possible that even if if we did the
420 this year uh that we might in fact actually be over our amount >> depending on how the performance goes. >> The performance goes. So >> um still kind of thinking about you know given the other financial burdens that
we have on our plate right now. Um you know how aggressive do we want to be? Mhm. >> Um, we could >> Isn't that mostly a question about how we prepare for 28? I mean, isn't that the real point you're driving at that that decision is just how much latitude
do we need in planning for 28? >> I I have >> and and and how could that potentially assist us with funding school in 27? >> Oh, >> that that's kind of, you know, some of the things I'm thinking. I have another
kind of creative idea. As I recall, last year we appropriated funds for the rotunda to the tune of
600,000 from town money and maybe 200 from CPC. Is that right? >> It was like 300,000 last year on top of money that we previously appropriated and then 500 from CPC. >> Okay. Is there any reason why
we couldn't incorporate the previously appropriated money that we haven't spent into the bonding with the expectation that that money would go into free cash at the end of
this year and then we could spend that free cash in the fiscal year 27 budget. I think you'd act it would actually be a current fiscal year transfer, right? You could do that. >> Well, it would be the end of the year,
so it's there at the beginning of the >> fiscal year 27 budget, >> right? I wouldn't I would make sure that during FY26, we wouldn't pay whatever amount we determine out of that retunda appropriation. Um, and then close that out at year end and that would become part of our frequency.
>> It has to be certified, right? >> Yeah. has to get certified >> but it doesn't means it can't be >> but we can use the free cash in the FY27 fiscal year for FY28 or 20 at the end of 27 >> had to be certified before it could be used to exit 28 as opposed to 27.
>> No, but I if if we know that money's coming in >> Yes. We have sufficient money in free cash that the only risk we're running is if it wasn't certified, which I don't understand why it wouldn't be, >> right?
>> Then we would drop below our 8% target. >> I see. Well, >> that's where I'm coming from on it. >> And we talked a little bit about that in the sense of CPC on the CPC side. And I if I remember correctly our conversation we ended up at
if we've asked voters for that previously let's hold true to that and just ask them for the delta of what's needed for ratunda. >> But I think we could explain if if for instance we explained that we
wanted to do that in order to pay the 420 for OPED. I think we could sell that. >> I I I think so too. >> I don't know what other people feel. >> I have another basic question. When we
last year uh approved whatever it was for the rotunda, but we didn't spend it. Do we actually fund that amount? And does it sit in a bank account or not? >> We collect it throughout the fiscal year. >> Goes into the
>> but we don't. It doesn't hit the tax rate until we actually issue the bonds. >> Okay. >> Or actually spend the money, >> right? >> Talk about the ones that we previously incorporated. >> We what what do we set aside for the on
the last year 800,000 or something like that total? >> Well, last year we appropriated 300,000. Right now we're sitting on 839,000 in the general fund. >> That's >> because we accumulated it. Oh, that's rotunda money. >> Yes. In the general fund. Yes. And then
we have another 500,000 in CPC. >> But we need another 2.2 to complete the project. >> So my suggestion >> the grants fell through. >> Well, the reason we got it approved at town meeting last year was we knew one of the grants had fallen through,
but we were expecting the other grant which now >> we do know now we did not get the grant for Rotunda. >> Okay. So it's definitely >> we also we also did not get the grant for the boats, >> but we did get the grant for Morse Pier.
>> So you'll see I have that right back in. It's >> okay. >> The priority is the rotunda. So shouldn't that go toward the ratunda? >> Well, we're we're >> we can't >> we are >> pursuing ratunda. >> It's the same guy economic counselor.
You can't if they give it from Morris Pierce, you can't pay use it for Rotunda because they denied the Rotunda one, >> right? >> They gave the town money. >> Yeah, but that contract is based on the >> It's a matter of what we ask for, that's all.
Um, what's the priority, right? >> Well, no. I mean, the grant that we got from Morris Pier can only be spent on Morris Pier, >> right? But we could resend that and say we'd rather have Guratunda if we wanted. I'm not sure you can. >> It might not be, but I, you know, it
seems to be what the voters might >> I think they're looking at a difference for commercial fishermen versus not I bet is one of the things they probably look at. >> Well, why didn't they look at the fact that we just did more five years ago.
Well, not to get off on a tangent, but the we are still pursuing Ratunda this year uh through hopefully, you know, we we have some different options to talk about with that. Um ideally,
uh you have Morse Pier, Reed Park, Ratunda, and Dredging all going at the same time. we could have some significant cost savings in the in the construction of that um because it's all
kind of the same contractor. So that that is a a factor in some of what we're thinking. So on the Rotunda, I feel like um we have to get the public trust back that we had that thing all funded at the last
town meeting and that we relied on grants that we had no business relying on and the best way to save face is to fund this thing through a bond paid for by operational cuts in the budget. Um, I think it's fairly easy to eliminate two
or three positions and I think that um we can use some of the automation savings that we've we've gained. Uh, I have specific ideas but general I think that that's something that would restore the faith the public in in the town government. Um,
>> well I I I disagree, >> right? I mean, I think that we raised the issue at last town meeting that we knew we had lost one grant. We didn't know whether we would get other
grants. So, I think we left it open-ended that we were assuming we would get grants. So, we weren't seeking an appropriation, but we had concerns of whether or not we actually would see receive the grants,
>> but but in the meantime, we funded a lot of other things thinking we had that money come in, and that's on us. >> Not really. I mean, I I think we look at each item. >> I know you have to lean forward in these things because it's a year. >> It's also It's 2.2 million that we need.
That's that's that's more than just two or three people. >> Well, no that would be I'm thinking a bond that like the yearly payments on that because it's operating it happens every year. So it would be that would fund the bond payment for the two two
but anyway I mean that's what bonds are for to spread out costs. So uh you know so we have 150 here in Bennett Street reconstruction that could be shifted to the tapen street reconstruction question uh which would
free up 150 of general fund that could go towards um other needs. So, >> and then we have the, you know, OPED, back to OPED, uh, based on the conversation we had today, we can
either, if we do have extra funds this year that if the school brings their budget down and we get a little bit closer, um, and we were wanted to put a little bit more towards OPED to benefit next year or we could even reduce how
much we put towards OPED this year. It's, you know, what's our obligation next year? to 144 or something. >> Uh if we did, >> yeah, >> affected Dan and he said it you would be surprised if we need to put that much in next year.
>> Is there a risk in trying to fully fund it this year for the sake that we might have we might end up overfunding based on >> performance >> because we're going to spend it anyway, >> right? >> Yeah. >> We're going to be paying premiums out of it. So over the years, >> yeah, >> the value of the assets are going to
vacasillate anyway. >> Okay. >> So it's never perfect. Um >> but it does allow us if we fund it fully enough with 27 like and be done with our contribution then next year we can start having the
trust pay for the retirey benefits. >> So getting back to your question I I think OPED is one of the things that I you know I would be open to considering that kind of a a trade. >> Yeah I share that view. >> Okay. So can you just look into that a little bit and see what impact that
would be because that would decrease the amount coming out of taxation if we were having OPED come out of taxation and now come out free cash. So that frees up 360, right? And then we up it to the 420 with the
over paying it off and >> halfway 26 is a full rebal year. >> Yes. Um so we'll true up all the numbers as of the end of this fiscal year too. So that'll help for next year. >> And the normal cost will also be impacted. >> Yes. >> By the asset. So every year it's my I
used to do pensions to find benefit pensions and >> that's very helpful. >> So the normal cost is impacted by the value of the asset. So if we overfund it, we still have that we still have
money for all the active employees to fund and that's funded over their expected um employment years >> and there's some added benefit if it's fully funded. Can we use as collateral for things or something? Wasn't there an
added benefit because we're way ahead of other towns funding this? >> Right. So, it's always to me been a matter of is the investment good worth taxing residents to put in the investment or it, you know, or when we
have extra money coming into the general fund, that's a good time to make a payment because we're ahead. It's like something we can do when we're comfortable doing it. >> Well, I think we're >> Yeah. I mean, we're beyond that point.
>> So, right. because we made the decision based on the input we received from citizens that we needed to establish a schedule and continue it throughout the years >> and not >> vacasillate based on what
>> current because because then we'd kick it down the road and we wouldn't fund it >> because we'd always spend it on something else. So we'll grow and grow >> great strides. It's been a success because I want 28 to have as much
flexibility as possible because you never know what's around the corner. >> If this can be worked out, I >> yeah, >> I look to 28 looking to benefit that year. >> To take a step further on the retunda.
Um, so if you reduce what we've previously appropriated and put it towards the bond, um, you know, one thing we could consider is asking for a temporary increase on the CPC rate to cover a bond
on the ratunda and then you get a percentage matched by the state. So it's like a discount on the total cost. I we went there once before um for the Donovan Fields and there was
so much push back it was rescended the next year. I I do not support bonding projects through the CPC. I I don't think >> the match we receive from the state is is worth that argument. I mean
originally we were receiving 30 40%. I mean, you know, and it's just decreased over the years, and I would rather have it be >> well, >> borrowing by the town, not CPC. It just
>> I understand the the political side of it. >> You're still increasing taxes. >> Um, but any match is a discount on our total cost. It's financially it makes sense, but I understand the political side of What is our current match? 16.
>> Yeah. So, so the one thing with the CPC that we frowned upon are the restrictions. Like for for example, parks and Rex, what we've been what residents have been crying for for years is just crown the fields so they drain better. But we can't do that with CPC.
So, we're like buying trash barrels and new signage and looking at things like that that can be funded. But when we what we really need is just some maintenance to to so the fields drain. So that's why the CPC can be restrictive that way.
>> Right. But it wouldn't be restrictive on the ratunda project. >> No. No. That would be 100%. The problem with with that multi-year thing is that this thing is subject to a vote every year. And will a bank guarantee
a a multi-year loan with something that can only be approved every year? I mean that that's the quandry that >> no once you once you authorize the bond um whether or not the town votes the debt service we're still legally obligated to pay it >> right
>> so like and even if you resend the CPC altogether and go to 0% we'll still tax this like the CPC for the amount of the debt service whether it's approved or not >> so there are loopholes >> yeah I just don't think it's worth >> yeah it's a legal obligation because like you said the the banks would never
let us borrow money if that was the case Right. >> And you know, Jack the CPC and I were talking about, well, we can guarantee that we'll bring it up for for approval every but then he's not going to be there for the whole 20 years either. So,
we can't guarantee the next general. >> Other thing is if we approve a bond, >> it's not included in the tax rate until we actually issue the bond. >> Right? So it's not like increasing CPC
where we start charging up front and in addition if the CPC wants to contribute to the rotunda each year then that would reduce >> the bond >> the ultimate amount of the bond.
>> Um >> and if they don't then the town is obligated >> right then it it just impacts the amount of the bond. Am I right? >> Yeah. Until we issue the bond. >> Until we issue it. Yeah. I probably do some agreement >> and when are we doing
>> next is that it next fall. >> Well, it depends on >> depends on everything >> funding and permitting and trying to you know ideally we do all these projects together but I the part that um confused me of what you said was that the CPC
could contribute to it in future years. I don't know >> before we issue the bond and then we would have the money. Oh, like what they've already approved, right? >> Oh, yeah. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. Yep. >> Cash. >> So, that could be like 10 years bond payment right there. The 500,000.
>> Right. I'm not suggesting that >> I know. I know. I just >> we resend the 500,000 from CPC. I'm suggesting we keep that amount and if CPC wanted to contribute an additional amount this year to the rotunda
then all those monies would offset the amount of the re bond we ultimately would need to issue. >> Uh ex yes except the the amount that's approved by the the amount that's already been approved by CPC.
>> Yeah. where it's that plus what we've already appropriated plus the delta. So it's not um >> right >> that that money can be used to pay debt. It's >> right. >> Yeah. >> The total cost of the project exceeds 2.2. It's >> right >> whatever the total is.
>> 3.6. >> Yeah. >> Is that an updated estimate? Because it wasn't that much before, but it's probably because of the inflation and >> Yeah. It's the most recent one. I just got it from I just confirmed it with Nate today. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay.
So, if we do that, that will free up some money. And then I think we have to figure out at some point whether we're going to need an override to the schools. >> Can I ask a question on that? cuz we're we're showing 3% but I thought it was I
thought the impact to us was like seven something >> right look at this >> problem he hasn't wait he hasn't included this amount in the 3% so this is what we're for >> right now based on what we have and then she's going to reduce it by this 43489
and so that is how much is that net amount Andrea the 794 minus the 23 499 >> 7:32 >> Okay, so 7:32 right now
is what we need to come up with for the school outside of Prop 2 and a half >> because I was confused outside. And if but if we pay the oped out of free cash
then we have >> that that amount of money to decrease >> the school short. >> Yeah. >> So we're now down to under 400.
And I think that's that's the big delta of >> whether we're going to need an override for the school or not. >> I guess I was confused because >> so we've kind of selectively shown a 3% increase kind of going like this. The
school's asking for >> if you look at the bottom half of that page expenditures. >> Yes. >> The first blue column is what was requested by each of the items. The second blue column is what I put in. And
then the third is a comparison between the two. >> And that percentage column to the left of the third blue column >> is the percentage increase of my budget compared to last year's. >> Okay. >> So he's ignoring the second.
>> Gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. >> Which again I think is consistent with the way we've done things in the past. Oh, always in the past >> and we show the pain and then we and then we then we forgot. >> We Yeah, I think we start off the budget with an assumption, but then when we get
good numbers >> from the school, we actually plug it in as as part of the budget. We don't usually learn something off to the side. And I think the school budget is >> not going to decrease a whole bunch. >> Yeah. depending on what helps with the
health insurance >> which is only going up all insurance is is yeah >> so that's what drives the comment about the override question for the school because that number is probably not going to change much >> I mean that that's what I hear you all
saying >> now if we have 800,000 >> yes >> from going into free cash from the rotunda stuff and we use 420 for >> OPED Mhm. >> Then we have more free cash put against
the school. >> I'd be cautious about that >> figure out the timing >> because it's free cash, right? >> Yes. I'm sorry. We'd have to reduce the amount going to capital would increase the amount from free cash going to capital to reduce
>> the amount of taxation taxation into. And we again >> we don't use free cash for operating. >> That's right. >> Well, it's just important to keep in mind it's not a one-year school problem. It's baked into their budget, >> right?
>> And then you have that 150 as well. >> So, we have we have some options here to deal with our school budget issue. >> Yeah. But I think the next step is to kind of see where they go with their budget and >> and their numbers they they do tend to
move around and right >> but but we have been facing you know they've been facing pretty hard challenges the last these couple years in a row >> and um and they they work some magic to kind of figure
some stuff out and there's always changes that happen down the road for them but >> but it but there was also the indication that that there's not going to be at some point they have to they have to do >> it's not going to be as much fluff in it as there were many years ago
>> seems like happens >> um in previous years um they have not taken their put their END into their initial budgets this year they put 600,000 from
END into their operating budget so this budget is worse than it looks because they don't have there is a lot more that they can kick in. >> Right. >> Remind me inde >> free cash. >> Free cash. >> Okay. Right.
>> It's not free cash access and deficiency >> for the school districts. >> A lot of it was originally from free choice from choice. The thing with school is we always shape our budget to meet the school budget but then at the last minute Essex reduces you know
through reductions it gets reduced and like usually always throws things. >> I think the school is making a concentrated effort now. >> Yes. Not >> to take input from both Essex and Manchester and have a more realistic budget.
>> Yeah. at the beginning particularly because a few years ago when Essex wouldn't support the override that I think the school is sharpening its pencil much earlier in the process >> that was evident last year I thought
>> uh so just two other notes on this capital sheet which you'll see in the revisions that Andrea passed out uh firefighting equipment >> is going down from 70 to 50.
Uh so the uh the fire chief was able to find an alternative to replacing the SCBA uh compressor and that's been delivered. So we don't need that 20 there. And then speaking with Nate on the ADA bathroom for the library. Yeah.
Yes. >> 250. >> Oh, great. uh is probably about as low as we can go there >> at this point. Uh but so we can take another 50 off of that too. >> So then you know we also at the select
board meeting just kind of had a general discussion about you know that borrowing column and the capital exclusion column. You know, right now we're looking at one, two, three, four, five, six
questions, ballot questions, right? >> And then potentially a school as well and operating on the school. So, it's um you know, it's a lot to put on uh the ballot for voters to consider or
you know, as outside of two and a half. But I but I think it's important for us to break down the projects rather than rolling it all into one because I
think people have the right to vote on the individual projects. Um, >> and the other issue is, you know, we have we approved a $7.5 million bond a couple years ago, and I think there's at least 5 million that hasn't hit the tax
rate yet between the water meters and the the sewer. So, you know, we don't want that hitting with the Essex Elementary stuff, too. We we'd like to try to expend what we what we have before we start getting new ones um to
some extent. So, Andrea, for the next meeting, can you give us where we stand on prior bond authorizations? >> Um, where we stand on actually having bonded and and if they're not bonded
yet, when do you expect them? >> Yeah. >> To be bonded and hit the tax rate. because you know to further that you know I question I mean we've made great strides in our water pipe replacement program but is it feasible for a small
town to continue that and do the PAS in the you know you know Tapen Street has not had any breaks >> I don't I don't want to go down this rabbit hole tonight >> okay yeah higher level do we need to do pipes and pas in the same
>> right we're we're going to be going into capital in detail in a specified meeting and I think that's when we should >> raise those concerns, >> right? >> They're valid, but I think we just
>> Anything else, Tony? >> Nope, that's it. >> I'm Do you want to You want Andrew to quickly talk about some of the revisions and the >> Sure. I start focus on the revision one to revision two because that's what's
changed since the last meeting. Um so I've updated all the budget revenue expenditure summaries um in the front. Um I'm probably going to be doing that every single time >> it's effective. Um I added a table of contents. Um I put a
>> I like that. >> Glad um I put in a placeholder amount for the CPA. Before I just had the admin cost and kind of threw off like the bottom line percentages. So I put a just a placeholder in for that for now. Um on
page 60 the health expenses that we added back $1,000 um based on conversations with the department um on their their medical supplies. >> It was uh professional services. I think
if really it it was uh after going through a discussion with them about funding necessary for um things like beach testing, water quality testing. >> So this is health department. >> Health department. Yes. Sorry. >> Stuff is absolutely needed because all
the beach closings we have every rainstorm. >> Most most of that water quality testing is paid for by the state. But if we are retesting or we're outside of the state season, we pay for that. So, >> right, I know Ellen does a lot of
running around to do that. We pay her but >> as much inhouse as we're qualified to do. Is that correct? >> You mean like for like food inspections and things like that or >> when we brought on a health agent,
>> it was we were going to reduce >> Yes. Yes. the contract services >> to the extent that the health agent was qualified to do the inspections and I'm just verifying that in fact the health agent is doing the inspections for which
they're qualified. Yes. >> Yeah. And that's actually that's actually why I reduced professional expenses the way I did at first and then in speaking with the department I had cut a little into some of the funds that we typically use for beach water quality
testing. So, I put in $1,000 back. Uh, so I had accounted for that already. >> Okay. >> I overaccounted for it. >> And they called you on the table. >> Yep. >> And I And I'm not going to, you know, each water quality uh testing is
something we want to make sure we have the funds for. >> Right. >> It's a resident sensitive one. Absolutely. They like to see. >> Absolutely. >> Um, page 64, the library building repairs. Um I didn't virtually I was supposed to move that there's like two lines like one says building repair and
then there's it's like blank underneath it. I meant to move that to the um facilities budget for the library. >> These are repairs in the nature of not capital but maintenance. Am I >> Yes. >> Are these the kind of repairs that are >> it's like bigger repairs for like boiler?
>> We're not talking about the ADA bathroom. >> Correct. >> Um so I did move that. So the facilities, >> all the repairs are unknown facilities. >> Yes. >> Which is consistent with all the buildings. >> Exactly. Yes. >> Good. >> Yep.
>> Um page 76 uh under capital and Tony mentioned that we did receive the Morris Pier grant. Um so the grant match request of 116,000 was reinstated. Um and then he also mentioned the fire chief found um alternative to replacing
the SCBA compressor saving us um $20,000. Um, and then below that, I just put some notes. I have more to do than this, but these are some of the top ones. Like I know Sarah, you mentioned the DPW sellers broken out. Um, revenues I'll
update to show historical trends, not just the past fiscal year. So, you can see, you know, that going forward. Um, I'll update the estimated tax rate page. Um, I know noticed last year I had like four different columns of like what was requested and TA recommendation and kind
of like throughout. So I'll start doing the same thing so we can see what how that changes and affects the text. >> Back to morpher for just a second. >> Sure. >> What is the match requested? What is the match? >> Percentage. >> Excuse me. >> What percentage is it?
>> It is. >> How many What's the number >> number? >> 116. >> That's well that's the grant match and I'm blanking that. No, no, no. The match match >> the match is
>> we pay 116 and they we get it. >> So it's a 50/50 deal. >> I think it's I think 25% match. So 75% >> is paid for by the grant >> and that's >> the grant's not in our materials. The
amount of the grant's not grant was for >> no more than that was for three times that. Thank you. >> This is the fourth I'm with you now. 25% I just misunderstood what this was
about. >> And and just so you're aware, >> when this issue about the Morris Pier grant originally came up, >> the finance committee voted that it should not be pursued.
>> Just so you're aware of >> the prior to applying for it. Mhm. >> That was I don't know how many years ago that was. >> I don't remember why. >> Because we didn't strings attached kind of thing. >> Well, because Yeah.
>> or didn't like the project. >> The project >> because it was for like four or five people. >> It's tripling the size of our harbor. >> It's >> it's for commercial fishermen from whom we don't receive any revenue.
>> Right. We receive a little bit. What do we receive revenue from? >> They pay a harbor fee. >> $350 a year. >> Well, and they pay for the winch. >> Yeah. >> But that, if I may, on the other hand,
um, our ability to get money for dredging depends somewhat on having a masterpect. >> Absolutely. But just so you know, >> just tomorrow we already have to say anything.
>> I I'll do that. Prepare for that debate >> or what schedule. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um I'll also be adding um FTE slides for each department. Um and then I'll also be adding uh
percent change um to the expense summary pages. Seems to be helpful. >> Yeah. Is is it possible for you to give us um a personnel list with the hours and the salaries?
>> Yes. >> Because I find it very confusing as we're going from part-time to full-time and like the town clerk's office, it's not all in one place. >> I think that's what the FTEES will help
with. It'll it'll show each position in each department and over time you know is it like one is it.5 is it so that's what I'm adding to that. subsequent updates are going to be in new on sheets like this for us handwrite
in or you've talked about colors >> and I'm trying to do colors see how that works. Yeah, let me know like number three, revision number four, another >> and I'll be updating the dates as well. >> And I'm working on a um shared file like
a SharePoint um so that I'll have all of these um in one spot. >> SharePoint. Okay. >> Is this helpful too so that you have like total list one? >> Colors very honestly are even more helpful >> now that I understand what colors are all about. Well, now I just I just
realized after you mentioned that I was like, I should I'm going to put the color in next to the room vision. These are green and these are orange. >> I know my question is stupid, but I I just didn't know what the colors were telling me. >> Yeah. No, no, thank you for bringing that up. >> It's confusing.
>> Okay. >> What do you mean? >> There was another like idea I had that you know with the new water meters coming in. >> Yeah. I mean, every town has had like record increases in their revenue because of these new meters.
Would would that justify like maybe we can just put the POS plant funding under the enterprise water? >> I mean the revenue from the PAS I mean from the water meters is going to increase so that we'll have more.
>> Well, right now right now in this budget I have what we collected in water meter fees in FY25. um in debt service to pay down our um bond for the water for the water meters and that's >> we'll continue to do that as you know we
the water meter money comes in >> right so >> so it's already spoken for essentially >> kind of right >> so as that revenue increases it'll produce retained earnings which we can use to pay towards debt service
>> but the the what was sold to the taxpayers >> usually Yes. >> Is that that charge was only for water meters and when the wa and 3 years from now it would disappear unless a charge is going to be added for a different
>> No, that that charge was to replace the water meters. But what I'm saying is once they're replaced, revenue has been shooting up in all these towns. The revenue the residents are all upset. But I mean there's a lot of there's a nice slug coming >> that goes into retained earnings and we're using retained earnings,
>> right? It's that You can do that or you can adjust rates to you know provide relief >> to tax uh rate payers. >> Right. If they screw it up we can say well we don't need to have the rate. >> Right. Right.
>> And we don't the pay is going to be a while before it's complete. >> Y >> right. though we won't be issuing those bonds for a couple of years. >> Right. >> Right. Right.
>> I think >> so we have time we have time between now and when the bonds are actually issued, >> right, >> to adjust things. >> I think we're advancing to a certain point and then we're going to just do Lincoln first.
>> So that is first. We're doing Lincoln first because Chuck said that >> that's the one that's out of compliance. >> It it's out of compliance and we need Graly online while they're doing Lincoln Street. So, we have water >> and they don't he I think he also said
that they don't have to increase the size of the building at Graly. >> Correct. They're able to >> less expensive than Lincoln Street. Yeah, it was a big they can do the filtration and what they have.
>> I'm I'm here if you want me to answer a question or not, but I didn't want to break up the train here. >> Were we accurate? >> Uh, well, couple things. I think, yes, on the, you know, Lincoln Street has to go first. We need to get Graly Pond online. Uh, Lincoln Street is definitely
the bigger project or the bigger priority when it comes to compliance. Uh we we were working on additional engineering and piloting for grally to confirm that we didn't need the building which is which is all happened in bang good. We have not advanced the grally
design so that will come after uh link Lincoln Street is probably either in the middle of construction or you know wrapping up and then we will be back for construction for grally which will be you know still in the millions of dollars but hopefully not in the tens of millions of dollars. Um, so that's
that's kind of where that sits. And I just say on the on the water meter thing, we're I it is true the the the fee for the meters will go away. Uh, that was confirmed for or, you know, approved for 12 quarters to pay the the the cost of the meters. So when we're
talking about the bonds that are outstanding for the water meters, that's that's being taken care of there. It's not being taken care of in the tax rate. So that's, you know, I guess a good a good thing. and then uh the the revenue, you know, may or may not come in. We'll have to see how that works. So, I don't
think we can sit here and look at out years after the meter project is done and, you know, count our chickens before they hatch on that one. Um I I do think we will see a increase, but to say it's, you know, our revenue on any given year is like 1.5 million. We're not going to get, you know, double that. It's going
to be something, you know, 10% 20% maybe. So, that's, you know, keep that in mind. and and we've always used a portion of the retained earnings for projects. >> So, >> that's definitely been something that we've done. >> Yeah, >> we're looking at a pay like a 20-year
bond with 15 million say, >> no, BAS will be the Lincoln Street project will be approved or theoretically will go on the SRF intended use plan. We will be able to get a 30-year 0% loan on whatever we do
at Lincoln Street. So, if it's a it' be a $15 million project, say, uh, deal, that'll be a 30 year payment and a 0% interest >> if if it goes if it goes through SRF. >> Yeah. >> And possibly some debt forgiveness,
>> right, through that >> like likely debt forgiveness on the Lincoln Street. It's un unknown on, you know, when we get to Gral Pond, but definitely for Lincoln Street, I would anticipate that as well as the settlement money. So that's like a hundred grand a year is a good part to
fund that. >> Wait and see how how it works out. But those are definitely that's an option. >> Okay. >> Okay. So have people looked at this budget
>> generally. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, we need to set a schedule for what we're going to review on which day.
>> And my goal is that we have enough information at each meeting so we can vote and not revisit it. Um, which means that if we have questions
on a specific budget, we kind of need when when would you need the questions to you before the day of the meeting? >> As soon as possible, I would say I it would be for department heads mostly. Correct. Or
>> Yeah. So I would say Monday or Tuesday would be great for questions. So then we could follow up on Wednesday, Thursday and then have it for the meeting on Thursday. >> Okay. >> We can like bring the an like and even if you have questions after that we could do it our best to bring the answers to the meeting.
>> I think that the first week will be the most difficult and I think after that we'll we'll have the schedule so we can ask people to look at the upcoming budget a week in advance or something so that they can give them to you >> at the meeting before the meeting we're
going to review it. Okay, great. That's a good idea. >> Yep. Okay, perfect. >> Also, Jake volunteered to be your first if you need if you want him for the ne for your first meeting. >> I was going to say police and fire looked like the easiest. >> I I have
>> a lot of concerns about the fire department budget and I don't feel we can ready to deal with that budget the first week. I'm I'm very concerned that
we're filling a deputy chief position and we have the safer grant for four firefighters and we're having to pay 25%. And it seems to me we could defer replace my understanding he was talking
an internal transfer perhaps for the deputy chief. And if that were to occur, it seems to me we could delay filling that position for a year instead of waiting for the person who who's going to age out to
retire. It would buy us one more year in the budget. and and I don't see why it can the safer grant can happen because we only need the 21 people. So I'm not saying don't have the deputy chief.
I'm saying don't fill the position vacated by creating a deputy chief. >> Right? >> That's what my cons that's my argument. >> Jly has Jay definitely has a response for you on that and
>> whenever you're ready. Yeah, you know, >> he'll he'll speak to that. I don't want to get into it tonight because he's not here, >> right? Yeah. But that's why I don't want to do that the first week. >> Okay. >> And I'm happy to meet with him in advance. I just >> Yeah. >> Um, you know.
Okay. So, let's identify. So, usually we do all of town government in one meeting. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Does anybody feel like there's any segment of the town government that needs to be
spun out to talk to a department head? My question is we had a a report on town hall staffing last year. Have we implemented all of the recommendations that came? No, we've not
correct. >> In other words, are there any that are lurking? We implemented 27 >> wouldn't know. >> Uh all but one. All but one. And that's because we've
been going through a uh it's union position that we've been going through a >> reason. Are there any pending >> that were recommended at that time that haven't been implemented that will somehow show up in some way in 27 that was they be
all subject to union negotiations which I gather you're talking about. We've otherwise implemented them and there's no proposal to implement any others in 27 budget. There's there is a proposal but it has not been brought forward to you in the past.
>> Not likely in 27. >> Yes. Likely in >> likely. Okay. Well, asking the question >> but not a result of what was discussed last year. Right. >> Thank you. I was making that distinction. Well, that's where my question is in response to you is that
knowing more about whatever is pending and might be implemented would be the area of my question for town hall. >> Okay. >> Just because I'm not familiar with the implications of it and you know whatever that may be >> and I think it would be beneficial when
we go over the town hall to better understand the staffing. >> Yes. That's why I'm going to add all the FTEs and then you can see in each department how it's been as it was going and everything. >> And that's why your request of that staffing list I find very valuable. >> Mhm. >> Okay.
>> But I think covering them in one meeting is >> okay. >> Sounds reasonable. >> Um so we need So we have town hall correct? >> Yep. >> DVW correct?
>> Police. >> Yes. Fire. >> Yes. >> Harbor. >> Yes. >> Where's recreation and all of that? >> That's part of town government. >> It is part of town. >> Can we cover that in town government? >> Yeah. Yeah, we can. I just didn't know where it fell.
>> Um, >> so health is in there. Town hall. >> School obviously. >> Yeah. So we have the school and you said something else. >> Library. Library. >> Library.
Um CPC we usually meet in CPC >> correct. Where does facilities fall? WWP >> and then the school >> one two three four five six seven eight and then capital
>> nine meetings >> uh capital uh will you want the department heads >> to speak to capital in their you know from >> we want them to speak to the capital but
we won't vote on capital until our final capital meeting. We tried to do it >> last year differently and it just didn't work. >> Right. So in each meeting they're going to talk operation and capital and then we'll vote capital at the end.
>> Right. So well the the day of the meeting we'll vote operating. Right. >> We'll ask our questions of them on the capital but then we'll circle back around to capital at the end when we have a better idea of the tax rate and
all that stuff. And then um non budget warrant articles. Do you like zoning or anything like that? Do you typically hear or on that or >> um for zoning article the for zoning articles the finance committee would
normally not make a recommendation >> only if there's financial implications. >> Right. >> Okay. So, general I mean Oh, and the other thing we need is a meeting on the financial nonwarrant articles, >> right? >> Yes. >> Because that would be I don't think is
OP in here? >> No. Oh, it is, but it's not it's under the expenses summary, not on its own page. >> Right. >> Because we usually have another night for the >> because I have the OAB separately and I
also have a couple of prior year bills. >> Okay. So it'll be a separate war article as well. >> Not again. >> So when we hear from a department, I ask that the department head provide us with some guidance on issues as he or she
sees it and in the year ahead and maybe in a short three to five year year period financial concerns. Will that also be part of what they'll be prepared to speak on? We'll have received some indication of what those issues are.
So then we'll know coming into the meeting. What? Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> Good. >> Because I'm assuming for town government, >> we won't be asking department heads to be added. >> Well, I don't know. It depends. If a
department head has some concern that I Why wouldn't we ask them? See is my question to you. They may have there may be things about technology. There may be things about uh staffing that come in future years that that they can foresee that we will
know something about want to know about >> maybe not for the implications in 27 but in subsequent years. >> I mean I can talk to them and put together like one a summary for all of all of those >> all the town government. >> Well that would be fine too if if that's if that's possible. Yes.
>> Yeah. Yeah, that'd be fine because it won't be as in depth as you know some of the other departments and stuff. >> So, >> yeah, that'd be good. All 10 government. >> Okay. >> Just see >> and then if there specific go back That's right.
>> and get more information. >> Yes. >> I just hate to have them have to come to a meeting and sit for hours. >> Right. >> Are you going to do town government and as the first on the next Thursday? Well, my concern is we've got to get
information from department heads. >> I was just watching. >> Um, how about doing DPW first? >> There's so many wild cards. >> Yeah, there whether we want to do pipes and p
>> operations. And I was going to volunteer for either uh I have a couple different Thursdays that I can't make. So, I was going to volunteer for either 1st, 29th, or 12th of February. >> I don't mind going first if you guys
don't mind more questions than answers on some topics. But >> do you mean the 29th of January, not February? >> Correct. Is that what we said earlier? What I said earlier? That's all. >> So Chuck's saying 15, January 15th,
January 29th, or February 12th for DBW. >> Um, >> we'll have more information on SRF by the February date. I can't promise anything in January. >> And and maybe we'll have more uh on
rash hauling. Maybe. >> And what was his February date? I'm sorry. >> 12. Um, so maybe we should wait and do DPW on the 12th. >> That would be my suggestion. Wait. >> What about police?
>> Ready on the 15th. >> Our budgets have been easy for the >> Chief Agerro. >> Are you ready? >> 15th is fine with me. Uh, yeah. I think our budget's pretty straightforward and there's not much there in capital. So,
>> great. Thank you. Okay. Um, I have to contact the school. When do we normally meet with the school? Isn't it sometime in February? >> It's later. They're kind of at the end. >> Meeting in the beginning of February, right? >> They have their school committee meeting
like idol meeting in the beginning of February or something. >> Yeah. >> We had that preliminary with Essex last year where everyone was forecasting a three and a half%. >> Okay. Okay. So, we we do police on 115, >> maybe the library on 22.
>> Okay. >> I'm asking trying to get to my calendar. Somebody >> somebody hit an icon and the calendar moved from page one to page three on my phone >> and I'm the only user. So, you can guess
who hit the icon. >> Guess exactly. Um, library 122. >> That's the only meeting I have a conflict with. I won't be here. So, >> okay. So, that's probably not a big
issue, right? Okay. >> Um, >> they're not a whole meeting, right? >> No, >> I'm buying library and CPC or something like that. >> Will CPC be ready at 122, you think? I don't think Jack's
>> Well, it depends on uh what the >> gonna do. >> No, >> no, he's gone. >> I mean, we have all our requests in and the the spreadsheet is >> okay. So, we'll do CPC on 122 also. >> It's just a matter of whether the the U
rotunda is going to be in in there or not, I guess. Um, >> on the January 29th, >> no, I was CPC. I thought you were saying on the 29th. >> CPC is going to be on the 22nd with the library.
>> Oops. With the lab. >> Yep. Because library won't take very long. >> Okay. So, Harbor on the 29th. >> Harbor on the 29th >> along with >> I think just the harbor. >> Just the harbor. >> I think that's going to be painful. >> Okay. All right. All right. I will
harbor a launch. That's a meeting I'm going to miss. >> Okay. Is that okay if you miss the harbor? >> I have great confidence in the remain remaining committee members to uh exert the appropriate discipline. Make it a town interest.
>> Um so we do fire on 25. >> Yep. >> DBW on 212. >> Um I'm sorry. What was 25? >> Fire. DPW on 212
school on 219. Does that sound about right? >> Yeah. Yeah, that's all >> um capital >> and we've got the OPED and the prior bills. So, we'll let's do the OPED and
prior bills as part of the capital. Okay. So the capital would be on um two 226 and 35. I think that's two meetings
worth. Don't you? >> Okay. And then we'll be done. >> Not yet. >> When do you want me to have Dan and Renee come out? Do we need them
>> after the town meeting stuff? But after >> Yeah. Like after all the budget stuff, but we usually have them in March, April. >> Yeah. And then also the auditor's report. >> Yes. That would be Rene. >> Yeah. We don't do Dan every year, do we? >> Um I feel like sometimes we do like we
usually piggyback them together because >> Okay. Talk about that evaluation. Um let's do auditors on 319 >> 3 what >> they
>> they usually are part of this process like what's but what do you guys usually go over >> year end stuff? >> Yeah they usually go over primary fiscal year financial statements and actuality report. >> It really has nothing to do with the budget we're working on.
>> So habit to do it then. So just looking I was looking at the larger you know working myself backwards from town meeting date. >> Yes. >> Um >> we are likely going to need the
book to the printer that last full week in March. >> Beginning of the week or the end of the week? >> I'm I'm going to tell you beginning today. How about 3 326? >> That's fine.
>> Is that okay? >> Yep. >> Which means we >> You might need the 19th to kind of >> the auditor >> the auditors will move to on April. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Find a Thursday that they can make in April. Um because if we need the book to the printer the 26 then that gives us the well 312 will probably be
>> it would be nice to discuss the draft at a meeting opposed to editing it like >> right and then we've got to do the warrant articles right okay so we'll
It's the only thing you didn't >> I would you just didn't 312 I don't think you put anything on that date anything >> well I was thinking >> let's go to Barbados >> maybe a draft of the report I don't know that may be too soon >> no it's good to have
>> articles and and the 19 Yeah >> it's good to have a couple open there in case things slip >> and they do >> I know it happens Yeah. And then
Okay. So this the book to printer. So I need to let the school know that also. >> So why don't we do town hall? So >> Oh, we didn't schedule it. >> Oh, that's why it's empty. Do >> you want to do
>> dear? Do you want to do >> harbor town >> 226 and move capital down to 35 and 312? >> Okay. So, >> town hall is 226.
Capital is now 35 and 312. >> Just got to make it tight, but that's okay. >> We should have a good feel. >> But so this Okay, I guess yeah, town hall ends up being fair amount of discussion. So that's the beginning.
Okay. I was going to suggest we could look at some other stuff. >> Well, I think that when we do town hall, we've got the town hall capital also, >> right? >> Yeah. So, so I think that in many of these
we we're including capital >> which hopefully we'll have discussed most of the capital before we get to the capital meeting. >> Right. So, it's more just kind of pulling it all together, >> right? >> And we're dealing with funding. >> Yes. Ann, >> um when does do you expect to get a
health insurance quote? >> Oh, thank you. Well, they usually give some sort of signal at the MMA conference at the end of this month, but then they don't really give us our number until about It's usually like a Valentine's Day gift. Uh, it's right
around the middle of February. >> Okay. So, you're 312 is fine. >> Yeah. >> 226 is down. >> Yeah. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. 226, right? >> Yeah, we should have our health
insurance number by that date, >> right? >> Um, and >> town hall, I mean, we we'll be we'll be prepared and ready to go if there's ever any of these meetings have to move, you know,
we can bump up or we can >> take a little part of it or something, you know, if we have extra time in a meeting. Well, and I think we we're going to meet with the school on 219. I think we're going to probably have to circle around later to actually
approve the budget, right? >> Yeah, I think so. It'll be too early for them. >> We'll see. >> Sometimes March will school, too. >> Yeah. Maybe
the 19th. >> That's why we always run out of time. >> I tend to think they'll you can do the library, CPC, and police in one night. That would help. They're pretty straightforward. So, where are you at with school number
two? >> Sometime in March. It's >> 12 by Pennsylvania for 312. >> Okay. >> No, for 319. >> 319. Right. Yeah. >> And if you if you're keeping track of you're you're goal is to vote on
operating the nights that you meet. >> Yes. >> So, if you're keeping track of that, um, you know, I think Andrea and I can get the book pretty well prepared. So it's not starting from scratch when we get to March, you know.
>> Well, and yes, and and what I'll do is I'll draft I'll do the fin piece and I'll leave X's on the places where I don't have the numbers yet. >> Mhm. Y
>> um because I won't have numbers for school probably when we um we also need to get the debt schedule from the school, right? Did you did you look to see if it was on their website? >> I did. >> I'll I'll contact the school and ask for
that. Um because it should be going down. That should help us. It's been going down every year, but I don't know. And it's all it's all in concrete. It's
nothing, you know, it's just a matter of getting it. >> And then Ann and I talked about where we'll have a standing agenda item on the select board meetings where I'll provide them updates as to what's happening and and and obviously Ann as well since she
joins us. But we'll be uh the select board. I know you tend to at the end of this process you usually attend a select board meeting as well and go through some of the >> Yeah, I think sometimes. Yeah, >> but they'll be kept in the loop throughout. So,
>> and I think that hopefully we'll be able to get the minutes from the prior week to the next week. So then that could also be made available
to the select board. The minutes select board. So anything else on this? I I missed what's what is coming up on 1 15. Please, >> please
could uh reach out to the library and see if they could go that night as well. >> Okay, >> we could do police and library. >> Yep. >> Get a head start. >> Which would >> I'm sorry. Did you just move the library?
>> I'm going to ask them if they can do that. If you could do both police and library on the first one, it'll >> Okay. >> Maybe we can start getting ahead of it. >> Okay. >> So, maybe we can move the harbor up to 122.
>> If they if I can move them up if >> Yeah. Um, if we can do a harbor on 122, then that gives us that would allow us to move up by to
129. >> Oh, we could probably move move town. Yeah. What? >> Yeah. Town hall. We can always move up and then when we get the health insurance number we talk about that and
adjust. >> So I think town hall just got moved up to 129 >> because then we could make that >> it's subject let's stick with what you had and I'll see if I can I'll I'll go to the department heads double check if these dates work for them
>> and ask if they you know I'll ask if the library can move up. If they say yes, I'll see if I can move a couple more up. And but I see how you're trying to a lot time here. Okay. I can I can
>> like the um with the CPC, is that still going to be on the 22nd as well with the harbor or are we going to move that some or just have a separate date? That was with the library.
If we can move Harbor up to 122, then >> I thought that's what we already did. >> Well, he's got to verify that he can move the library from 122. >> Okay. >> He's got to verify that. >> Send us a schedule and we'll try to be up to date.
>> If town hall can can move from the 26th, then we could use that meeting about the school budget. >> Okay. Because it'll be the following week after we meet with them. >> Okay. Can I ask another stupid question?
>> The reason we're doing all this is that we have a certain amount of money that we can spend and we want to make sure the aggregate of all these subjects doesn't add up to more than the amount
of money that we can spend. Is that more or less correct? And if it does, then we would need an override. >> An override. Okay. >> And that's the that's the issue of is how much can we pair down in order to
fit the school budget within Prop 2 and a half. Well, the other thing you haven't done is used excess levy capacity, right? We did that. You did >> you use some but we don't or do we use it? >> I don't know where it all went.
>> Um >> so so can I ask one more question? What is that number? >> What the excess living capacity? >> No. >> The the total that we have to allocate. >> Look at his look at his million this
cheese. >> Yeah. >> It is the the second column. Yeah. The 4415431 plus the 43489. >> The total of those two, is that correct? Is
>> within two and a half >> bottom of the second blue column. >> Okay. 145 >> plus the 43,000. >> There's 43 extra there. So, >> okay. >> So, that's the >> 44200. >> Yeah. The total revenue is up top that section that 44,188.
>> Okay. Yeah, >> that's the total amount of revenue we have. Thank you. But does that answer your question, Gar? Because that's the total revenue, right? >> I thought the question you were asking is how much when you add up levy
capacities is the number for essentially two and a half plus the extra. >> That's the 44. >> Okay. Okay. I just want to be sure >> that 44 includes the use of excess living capacity. >> Yeah. I thought I thought he wanted to know the separate number
with that. So that's what we have for you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um so >> with you know that can be adjusted a little bit if for instance
we knew we were getting some additional local receipts where she could increase the assumption for local receipts. That's kind enough to be able to prove that we're actually getting that money, >> right? >> Well, we we did bump them up 60,000.
>> Yeah. Well, she's using a form. She's us using the 95% formula that we gave us and then she's looking at any other circumstances that might allow her to deviate from the 95%.
And I think one of the one of the pieces we don't know and may have more information later is for instance if we're getting if we're going to get building fees from CST or something like that. >> Well that's a big income producer might
be working >> and right now what do we know? >> We haven't seen anything. Do we have a do they have a construction schedule yet or any >> so we can't assume that >> I'm sure they
thank you >> the department of revenue really like wants you to see the money come in and then you base your estimates on they want to see it they want >> but if you go and like you have proof that actually like we're going to get that money in next year they might make
an exception but be able to say like, "No, they really are going through with it." Um, else we'll be in trouble for we don't want a revenue deficit, right? >> Well, and I think the other thing is is if those revenues actually do come in
during the year before June of 26, >> then the issue is is okay, does that allow us to dip a little more into free cash because we know that money is going into free cash. >> Yes. Um that's kind of the only way you
could adjust it which wouldn't increase the local receipts assumption it would increase the usage of the street. Yeah. >> So just for my clarity 15th at the moment is probably police and library.
The 22 I know this is subject to confirmations. The 22nd is CPC and fiber subject to confirmations. 29th I have no idea. uh is open. >> I I think that
>> have I anywhere close to where >> I think that we could move fire up to 29th if that's free. >> Well, the 29th we have the harbor >> right now. We have >> We're talking about moving it to 122. Yeah.
>> Okay. So, the way you look at it is like harbor kind of needs its own meaning. So if I if I move library up to police on 115 >> Yes. >> and move harbor up to 122, then I
probably got to find I got to bump CPC. >> Exactly. >> You know, so it's a kind of >> I know. I was just trying to get January clear so I could think about what January looked like. >> We we'll um >> but I think we >> No, police is going to be next week. >> Yeah. And I >> I also have library
>> and we could move fire if if 129 is available. We could probably move fire up to 129. >> Okay. We'll wait and see. >> Yes. >> And I really want to read the um that report that recommended to keep the
harbor separate because it really seems like it's part of the police department. >> Yep. >> So I refresh my memory. >> Okay. 122 is the date you can't you aren't
here. >> No. >> Do you want to have harbor when >> you're not here? >> Let me I don't think you do. >> No, I don't. I I want to be here for harbor. Um >> Okay. So, Harvard can't go to 122.
>> It's gone up 75% in the past three years budget. Um, again, let me let me I will send out a a schedule. >> That'd be good. >> I'm speaking for committee. I'm not on, but yeah, I thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. Yeah,
I'll we'll we'll connect with uh department heads. I'll we can send something out tomorrow. Hopefully get answers by Monday or Tuesday. Expect police to be here on Thursday. >> Okay. I'll let you know if library can join and then
by your next meeting you should have a good solid schedule for the rest of the meetings >> and I'm assuming people will start looking at the whole budget >> not just wait till weekend comes up
and that will raise questions of information one of The one of the things I was going to ask for um on my notes on this side here, I would like an accounting of how the
ARPER funds were spent. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean that was a lot of money and it was always outside the budget. So I just think it would be helpful to understand how that was spent. >> Sure. >> Yes. An
>> what is the new growth factor? new growth. I think I put in 200. >> I looking for it on the front page. >> Yeah, it's in the budget book. It's on page um six, the third line down.
>> That's 200,000. And New Grove is both renovations and new houses, correct? >> It is. Yes. >> Construction as well. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any
do you have any updates for us, Andrea, on the fiscal 26 budget that we need to know about? >> Yes. Oh dear. >> And I've already told you about it before, but I just want to keep repeating it. And um you know, the legal expenses are very concerning this year.
Um I just processed the November bill and that makes us $2,000 deficit in that line. Um so we still have December, we still have the rest of the six months till June 30th. So, um, I'm going to be looking at that. I'm looking at other lines, too, to see if maybe like we can
do a reserve fund transfer or other departmental transfer at your end. Um, but I don't know if it's something we want to consider as another warrant article to put more money into that or the reserve fund. >> Sounds like we have to not use a lawyer for six months, >> right? >> Yeah. And I already talked to Tony about
he's you know told department has like no we're like >> as least amount as possible but unfortunately we have a lot of >> cases we can't >> I need to contact legal counsel before my next ZBA meeting >> right >> so
trade you a reserve fund transfer for that >> Sarah did you mention at the last meeting some thoughts on trying to have departments be better informed about what the expense is or what what is
being run up as expenses on their legal budget or yes do not recall something >> concerned something. Yeah. >> And did that conversation get to a point >> there's actually a thought on what might we do to be sure that departments are more closely informed. We've we've
talked a little internally about ways to improve this um but we haven't had discussion with the boards yet >> because it strikes me that's an important piece in this management of legal time and expense. >> It is I I'll tell you it's not the the
the issue that we're dealing with right now is not you know Sarah reaching out to council for some advice on how to pursue something. It's we have had multiple
uh cases that have actually involved active litigation. >> I see. >> Um >> it's been that type of a lot. >> It's more active litigation that's driving this number than is legal advice as such. >> Which is one reason why I need to call
out to town council before my next CBA since it pertains to active litigation and the potential of town government. But yeah, no, it's >> Yes, that's the that's the biggest one everyone want to be aware of.
>> And I think that we also had >> Did we have the 40B stuff this year? Yeah. >> Yeah, we had >> big >> I I keep track of it. >> Um so the biggest ones like ZBA, 40B, planning um health department, there was
a couple things. um >> uh senior center and the central street culprit are the >> big ones. >> There were legal challenges to for >> we put aside money for the senior center 50 grand.
>> Mhm. >> So some of those legal fe expenses for the senior center should go under that 50,000 that we allocated. >> I'll check that. >> Yeah, >> they were doing that to >> make sketches money. study and of other
>> well it should have been all expenses because town's not supposed to be spending any money on senior center. >> We allow him 50,000 to keep the job >> the 50,000. Yeah. >> So that should be covering those legal expenses. >> Okay. Anything else? Andrea,
>> the other thing was the town hall electricity. >> And what's it? Yeah, just remind me again. You had that was on your note or >> last time >> that selfunding. I didn't understand what that selfunding meant. >> There's something about electricity and
that >> Oh, that was that was >> So add back 5,000 electricity as it owned funding source. addition. >> Oh, sorry. Um, that was for the enterprise fund. >> So, originally, um, Tony had the idea of like having a utility expense.
>> Yes. >> And that's in the general fund. And so, he was taking, um, you know, utility expenses from other departments and one of them was the enterprise fund, but since it's its own >> funding source, we didn't want to we put it back. >> Got it. >> I That's what that is. I
>> see. I see. Okay. That is >> I'll adjust that. Yes. >> Tony, do you have anything for us on status of grants or anything like that or have you already given that to >> what? I already >> Okay.
>> And then we we we have a uh we've had an initial grant application draft put together for the culvert. >> Okay. >> And it's been submitted to the state and we got some commentary back. So, we're
meeting next week to go over that and um you know, see where they might want to see us write up a little bit more information and things like that. So, we're we're we're prior to their grant application going
live on the street, they can have conversation with us. >> Okay. >> Once it goes live on the street, they can't. So, we're actually engaging with the state now on our draft to get some feedback because it's a big >> grant. We really >> That's a culvert. It's for
>> five MVP action grant. It's a regional MVP action grant. But other than that, it's just what I already mentioned about the safety boats and the ratunda and Morris Pier.
>> So, safety boats. Yeah. >> Did we approve something in the fiscal 26 budget for safety boats? >> 116,000. >> So that money can go to free cash.
>> Not necessarily. >> It's from uh the match to the grant. >> Match to the grant. >> Okay. >> Right. If it was from waterway funds, it would go back to waterway fund. From taxation, it'll go back to taxation. I'm pretty sure it came from auto fun.
>> That's okay. >> Yeah. Can you check that for us? >> Yeah. Is that where it came from? >> Yes. >> I'll confirm. >> Yeah. Okay. We're looking very penny. We can enter. And then you'll be looking at the
capital projects to see if there's anything else that can go back. >> Yes. Free cash. Yeah. And that'll be part of my quarterly. I don't know which meeting you want to add the quarterly report to.
>> When will December be ready? >> Was it end of January? Third or fourth week of January? >> 29th. >> 2nd or 29th? 29th. >> Yeah. Since that seems to be a question,
>> um, in the subject of, uh, interesting, probably irrelevant items, um, there has been brought up the question of, could we have a list of the fleet, and I'm talking about four-w wheeled vehicles,
>> in the Manchester garage, so to speak. All are >> Yeah. >> Interesting list. We had it last year. >> Have one. Okay. Well, last year >> $2.3 million was what it was worth. I did a little study of it.
>> That's a lot of money rolling around out there. >> Yeah. A lot of gas. >> Gas, but just a lot of >> saying you're los steel, a lot of rubber. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But I think that would be useful again. And >> yeah, I'm working to put that together along with um you know, a replacement
schedule so I can see like when they're due come up. >> Yeah. Because one of the things I was surprised by was the the increase in the maintenance budget for the police. And it seems to me we're replacing cars every 3 years. I don't know how much
maintenance you have or if it's something else. >> Yeah, it's actually longer longer than three years. >> Oh, okay. >> Our last county mechanic is retiring. So, >> is there anything that happening on the new on the school projects? Uh just to mention that I think I
covered it last meeting but um I wasn't sure about the the the final date that would kind of impact when it gets presented at town meeting uh for a vote. Uh but it does look like they'd be aiming for uh November uh 26
for a town meeting vote. >> November 26 >> of 2026. >> Oh no. this special town meeting. >> You were saying the date November 26 and I'm saying isn't that like Thanksgiving?
>> So, November of >> of 2026. So, fall town meeting and then uh subsequent ballot in December. >> No, ballot would be November. I think their idea was to add it to the
the ballot, the state ballot. I don't think you can say >> or I'm sorry for that for that day to do it that day the same day >> at that meeting. >> Okay. Yeah. I don't I don't know how those logistics need to work, but >> I thought that's what they were saying was
>> people are going to be going to the ballot booth nove, you know, the first Tuesday in November. >> Yeah. >> Have it be, you know, done the same. >> I don't think you can and I think you have to submit to the state by like July. >> That's what they were saying. Yeah. you
know the question November I get for >> elementary >> that's what I was hearing from Essex was they were they were hoping to submit the request to include it on the ballot in July for November and an October fall town meeting.
>> So you'd have the town meeting vote first and then the ballot shortly after. >> Okay. I don't know how they can submit it to the state in July if the towns haven't had an opportunity to see it. >> So, it's just what I've gathered from
them. >> Yeah, I I don't think they're going to have the number yet in July because I I think it's >> Yeah, they're not going to have the number. I don't know if they have to report the number in July or if they just have to say they're going to have >> a ballot. Yeah,
>> might just be it. Yeah, I'm not sure. subject is just >> it's probably that because most towns the projects tend to run that way. You've got the fall town meeting and then you've got a subsequent ballot where the the money is voted upon.
>> Would that be a small town meeting exclusively for the school or would it be >> doesn't have to be. >> I think they I think I think >> the school district would prefer that but we may have other items that we want to take up. We might want to roll back
some sounding changes that have gone too far. >> I'm just want to make sure that that tomorrow I can say that the impression I get from the finance committee meeting is that the town would prefer not to
have a separate meeting just for the school. >> Right. It's an expense to us and >> Right. Yeah. would just be a special time meeting. >> We don't want two special town time meetings in the fall. >> Yeah. >> I I just >> That's fine. >> I I get one opportunity to comment,
>> but I'd like it to be right. >> Yeah. >> So, are there supporting articles that >> I don't know what there would be, but I I don't think it's realistic to have us restricted by the school.
>> No. No. I'm not only that article in >> a fall town meeting if we have other issues we need to >> that's our choice >> cover we don't want to have a second all town >> meeting um and just on the area of very basics
um when is our spring town meeting >> April 207 >> Monday April 27th thank you it could roll into the 28th They never have. We haven't for a long, long time. >> As long as there's not dogs on the
beach, it's just >> on the question. >> I think planning board I talked to Mark today and he said they might have five or six articles. On the question about the ballot in the school, um I had talked to Christine um
back beginning of December and she reached out to the state and they said it's in our opinion that the law does not allow for a regional school district to place a bond authorization debt exclusion on a state election ballot. Um so they'd have to have a separate I mean it could be on the same date but it would have separate ballot. So you'd
have two ballots people vote. Yep. >> Um and then you'd have to let them know by the first Wednesday of August. Okay. >> It doesn't say anything about like reporting amounts or anything like that. So, not sure. >> It's notifying there's going to be
>> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Okay. >> Guess that way they keep track of the number of people that vote on just the ballot. That's why it's separate. >> Any other leazison updates?
know from her >> DPC. I guess I could say that Kitty's pretty low from after the requests right now. >> It's all up in flux pending talks >> because that would >> it's a shorter time frame. >> So I was just thinking
>> it's a local election. So >> we we'll just kind of double check with Christine as to when she would need ballot questions for the spring. meaning May, >> right? >> Um,
>> right. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Because many of these capital items >> feel like it's only a couple weeks. >> It's before our town meeting, but it's after we we're done with the book. >> After we're already done with the book. Okay. >> Yeah. I think that the reason we have
our town meeting when we do is because we create the ballot questions after the town meeting has voted. >> Well, that's in time for May. But that's why we set this fourth fourth Monday of
April because it was still time to do it prior to >> prior to the May ballot date. >> Yes. >> Okay. As I recall, that's is it. Don't you remember that, Ann? That's why we did it. >> Yeah. Essex does their ballot in advance
and if something doesn't pass, it's on. But >> yeah, >> they don't care. >> We didn't want to do that. >> And we didn't think that was tidy. >> Yeah. >> So, I think it's a right after town meeting, >> December minutes. We had two sets of meetings, minutes
>> from December. Did people look at those? >> Yeah, I had a comment made the adjustment. We'll settle them. >> And those were from the 10th and the 15th. No, those would be the minutes of December 15 and January.
>> No, >> two sets of minutes from December. >> Oh, both of December. >> What was the joint meeting? >> Our meeting and the joint with the >> select. >> Oh, that's right. The joint meeting. Yes.
Somebody have those exact dates. Make a motion. >> I move we approve those two sets of minutes, please. >> December 10th and December 15th. >> Correct. There we go. Yeah. Do >> I have a second? >> Second.
>> Andy seconds. Any discussion? >> Vote. Dean. >> Okay. Andy. >> Yes. Peter Sar. I guess we know our next meeting date is January 15th and we're going to do the
five police department budget and maybe the library, >> right? >> TBD TD. >> Um, anything else? Anybody wants to >> I move that we second. >> All in favor?
>> I 50. Nice job. >> Excellent. >> Make note of that. >> Under budget. >> Well done. >> But it doesn't increase your levy capacity. >> You wish it did. >> Yeah. Town on town hall.
>> Yeah. >> Let's say library can't go next week. If uh >> we're done. Thank you. Um, >> yeah.