Roll call to establish quorum. Richard Keys, >> Frank Piscanti, >> Steve Kenny, >> Amy Crouch. >> We have quarum. All right. Uh, we need to review and approve the minutes
on September 2nd. Does anyone have any questions or see anything wrong? >> That look good to me. >> Good. >> Looks good. >> Do we have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi.
>> Hi. >> Okay. Public comment to receive oral communications from the members of the public. Members of the public may address the finance committee for up to three minutes. The finance committee will not engage in discussion on topics raised during public comment, but may choose to add
the topic to a future agenda. This agenda, this agenda segment will be limited to 15 minutes. Um, I do not have any written or email communications
since our last meeting. I don't believe that Erica has any either. >> Hello, Vanessa. >> Hi. I'm sorry. >> Sorry. To the quorum plus one. Um, so seeing no members of public hear,
we're on to the town administrator's report. >> So I provided you the monthly revenue report uh for your review. A couple of things I just wanted to bring to your attention because they look a little bit um unusual. the uh investments line item
when we do to the yearover-year comparison looking at 25 to 26. You'll see it it's a bit lower than where we were last year and that's twofold. Number one, we don't have our Aqua funds
anymore. We've fully spent those um funds. We spent down, if you recall at the last annual town meeting, we spent down a significant amount of our free cash. So we didn't have that invested and um our income I I think we went down
a quarter of a percentage point in our rates as well. So that that's what that is resulted from. And then um our miscellaneous non uh I'm sorry, our miscellaneous
recurring revenue is up significantly and that's resulting from the PEG money. So before that was held within a special revenue account segregated from the general fund based again on the town meeting votes that has moved into a
general fund revenue. So you're going to see a pretty significant increase there. Um, miscellaneous. Let's see what else have we got. Uh, miscellaneous, non-recurring. So, last year that at the end of fiscal year
2025, we held um, well, we didn't hold it. We participated in an auction and we got rid of a lot of our um, outdated DPW equipment, equipment that was scheduled to be replaced. Um, in the past, we had
done some of those ourselves. they we put them on our website and take sealed bids. >> We are getting significantly more by utilizing this auction house. So, um that's what that money was was from just >> and no fees to seller.
>> No fees. >> Nice. >> It's great. Works out really well. And then in terms of uh annual budget, as you know, most of the next few months is going to be devoted to the formulation of the annual budget and the
capital plan as we we get into that. >> Um all of this work will culminate in our annual town meeting, which this year is going to be scheduled for May 5th. So mark your calendars. Um a little bit later than normal because we had some
conflicts with the auditorium over at Triton. So this is we'll likely be scheduling it for the first Tuesday in May in the future. >> What information do we always lack at town meeting? Because it's not ready yet. >> Isn't there something every year?
>> Well, the elections are after town meeting. >> Elections are at town meeting. >> Yeah. One week after. >> One week later. This year. >> This year. >> This year. Yeah. >> One week later. >> Yep. >> What's up for election? >> Um two select board members. So, Bill Deo and Leslie.
>> Okay. >> Their terms are up. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And I don't know, I think I sent you guys the MMA's report on the perfect storm and jobs. Great. Um, just that you're aware of that. It's not We're
going to be dealing with a lot of those issues here in Newbury. It's It's pretty much across the Commonwealth. rising costs, stagnant state aid. Um, you know, we're we're looking at gosh, um, I think
most of our costs since co were up around 3 are rising by about 3% each year since since co and obviously we're kept at that two and a half magic number. Um, and we're it's just our
costs are outpacing our revenue growth. So um the bottom line between healthcare, our supplies and materials, salt, sand, paving, um education, it's it's all going to create this this issue
um that number one, we're going to be picking up a greater share of the expenses um where the state hasn't been historically providing us um with very generous increases in our unrestricted aid.
um and a deepening dependence on our property tax revenues, which we're already a community that's anywhere between 70 and 80% of our revenue sources are our property taxes. So, it'll likely force us into a situation
where we'll be facing overrides. Um >> what was the percentage override? Um the percentage was exorbitant. number of mass talents going for override. >> So, it it was interesting in in their report they talked about how the more
suburban communities don't even go for them because they their likelihood of passage is so low. Um, and it's so burdensome burdensome to even have an override because you've got to get, you
know, your your um your electorate out and engaged and then the the process is so long and it has to be town meeting and then the ballot that a lot of the the smaller suburban communities don't even >> I >> don't even try.
>> I would not be surprised to see that same vote. I mean >> Oh, for sure. You know, unless you have something really good, concrete that just has to be done when everybody else's individual healthcare is going up 11%
year-over-year. >> Absolutely. >> Coverage gets worse. >> Yeah. >> Everything is more expensive. Grocery is up 35%. Nobody's going to be the move for an override for >> No, absolutely not. Absolutely not. So, it will it will force us into a situation where we're going to be
looking at, >> you know, what services do we really consider essential anymore? >> You know, the things that that our residents have been able to enjoy over the years, is it >> essential? You know, um, so it's it's
going to be a challenging challenging budget cycle. There are, you know, the Mass Municipal Association does advocate advocate on behalf of the 351 communities and they are working
hard uh to um to lobby on our behalf to see that there's an infusion of of state aid that, you know, back to the levels. we're we're still behind where we were in 2008 to 2011 in those years when we
were really struggling. Um so there's there's going to be more attention p being paid to that. Um expanding our local revenue options, modernizing municipal practices. the governors put the Municipal Empowerment Act um before
the legislature and that's supposed to cut a lot of the costly red tape and provide us with opportunities for more efficiencies in our government that will hopefully cut some of the costs um and give us some additional revenue raising
alternatives. But really um providing property taxation flexibility is going to be key and I just don't know how that will be received here in Newbury. >> I have no idea. >> Yeah. Well, I'm sure. >> So, we're definitely going to have our
work cut out for us this year. Um and I'm looking forward to working with you and hearing your great new ideas and but um it's it'll be a challenge and it's early in the process. We're we're still waiting. I think you know Triton's
gearing up now >> with their meetings. They had the DCC meeting. >> So we had the DCC meeting last Thursday and then the subcommittee or the school committee was meeting Saturday >> to talk about >> the budget. >> This past Saturday.
>> Yes. >> Oh, okay. >> So they're moving our DCC meeting from March up the after they meet with the school committee. >> Great. >> So So we can talk about it. So if if you want me to talk about it, I can because
uh so I was walking in with so I've been substituting a Triton almost every day. So since September, but I was walking in with Dr. Richard Poor. So he I said, "We got an exciting DCC meeting tonight." He goes, "Yeah, the governor's budget just dropped last night. I got to go dig into
it, but the initial look is it's not good." >> Yeah. I was going to ask it looks like preliminary cherry sheet figures came out and that's a very modest >> very nothing that's going to make a difference for us at this point.
>> Right. So um they said 85% of the towns as school districts >> are in the hold harmless situation now 85%. So, so everybody across except for the the big towns that get plenty of money
in comparison to us. So, >> yeah. And and that they also highlighted down in the report how our communities are struggling with education funding, but the gateway cities um are getting
the big infusion of education funding. So, there's this big disparity. I'm sure you've all heard select McGregor talk about it in the past, but yes, >> it's it's still a big problem. So, >> somebody was saying that Mayor Wu was complaining that she was only getting 50% of the funding for the schools and
we were all going 50%. We'd love to get 50%. >> Exactly. >> So, so it was interesting because uh some of the initial numbers they they put out the number of students. So, um Newbury was nine less.
Um, Salsbury was 23 less and Raleigh was 17 additional. >> So, guess who got the big increase? >> Yep. And so the Raleigh reps basically said, "Okay, if we have to go for
another override again this year, I'll just they'll we'll tell you right now, your new school is dead." >> Said because we can't afford all the overrides. So, so that's that's just the first piece, but that was that was the
numbers that uh for students. So, basically um it broke down to ours was what was it? $99,000 less and Salsbury was oh $99,000.
Our part uh Salsbury was minus 11,254 from last year. So, these are from last year. And then >> so if everything was level funded that's what the impact would be >> which >> and rallies went up >> won't be. >> Yes. So
>> so it wasn't happy. >> And other good news is our new growth is way down. We're looking at about 70 grand new growth. That won't even cover the increase in our health. >> You know it it's >> it can't come as a surprise to anybody
look around. >> Yeah. Well, that's what they said. One of the big drivers like maybe 18 was what was it 18% they're talking about increase and then they're in discussions with the teachers union for the three-year contract. So, they're still
in negotiations. Brian said that, you know, we can't afford everything they're asking for. So, it'll be >> if there's a year, this is it. >> Yes. >> They're going to have to hold >> for sure. >> Yeah. Well, that's
>> they have held. That's what he talked about. >> A long time. >> You You can speak firsthand. I mean, I know you're something now. >> So that's Well, that's why I wanted to go stop the student. All the terrible things I heard were actually true. So I'm I'm actually stunned that
>> I'm stunned that anybody >> teaches here, you know, quite honestly. Yeah. I mean, it's just not >> because of the conditions. >> No, no, no. It's just been so tight financially for we we have been able to Um, >> we've been able to be a community that
it's like, well, you have an earner in the household and you can be a teacher and not not make as much money. But when when you necessitate a master's degree, you got a new teacher starting out, even one who's gone home to live with his or
her parents, it's like he doesn't pay bills. You know, you can't pay rent and a car payment and god forbid you have a school loan, >> which presumably if you're coming out with masters, >> probably have a school loan somewhere. >> That's my household right now. My daughter just finished her masters, so
she moved home. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, what's the alternative? 2,300 a month for um a pretty lackluster place. Maybe in April, >> right? >> Probably not. >> Yep. >> You know, >> I know. I know. >> And you got a nice stock fridge. >> I know.
>> Yep. I'll just say I don't want to be even down or on Triton. The kids are great. >> Yeah. >> Teachers are good and uh so everybody has a positive attitude. You know, you just look at some of the things like the boys bathroom slots for nine urinals.
They have four installed. Three of them work. There's three toilets. Two of them the toilets are completely removed. So there's one operating. And so that's the one boys bathroom that's open. So, and then I was in a room that was
extremely cold and so maintenance guy came down to try and get it on and he says, "Yeah, this has compressed air coming down from the equipment's way over by the gym over there and it's this was on the opposite side. So, it's got to come all the way over there. So, I'll try and get it working." So, >> yeah, >> he finally got it on, but we were all in
coats and >> so because it was so formally in there. >> So, it's not it's not an exaggeration to say that is way more shaped than woodier. So >> yeah, we're shaping here. >> So but systems, you know, was installed
in the, you know, late 60s, early 70 because they opened in September of 71. >> So it's that same system has been in place. >> And right now the the public address system, you can't hear it in the rooms anymore. You can only hear it the hallway. So they're that's old and so
they're working to to repair that to get that >> Yeah. It's unfortunate. All our buildings were built around the same time and they're all coming together at the same time. So, >> yeah. >> So, the news is not great right now.
>> No, no, but they they're working on the school committee. So, they'll meet and uh come up with have their initial discussions. So they had the Brian had each of the the elementary schools come in and present theirs and then middle school
and high school and then the staff at the at the high school and and then his staff. So they all met separately like last year I guess last couple years they've been doing it all together. >> So they have each group come in and present it. So but he has been sending
out I don't know if anybody's on dro a weekly scoop with the soup. >> Have you seen it? Yeah. >> So, they're very good. >> Yeah. >> So, um and and I told them I was showing it to some of the kids and they they hadn't seen it. So, >> so it was interesting to get their get their feedback. So, I was telling one of
the girls that works on the school newspaper, I said, "You should go interview the superintendent and uh and have a story written on scoop with the soup." So, he puts a lot of information in there. He said he was he tried to
revamp the the email that was going out that went on forever and so he said I wanted to eliminate so we just put links down at the bottom if you want to go look at the other stuff and tried to shorten it up but uh >> it's getting the information out. So he's he's been going to the elementary
schools, the elementary schools. He's had uh former students that graduates that have gone to those elementary schools to come back and talk to the kids >> about uh their experiences at the elementary schools. So the other thing
that they've been doing is they identified the uh the project manager for the for the building. So, and then that project manager will be identifying the architect and then the design team and then they'll work with the MSBA get
all that approved and then they'll go right into once they get all that in place and they go in the module three. So, they'll go from two to three since we don't have to go back since we're working with them on the architects and the architect and the design team. So, we'll be able to go in the module three
and then the vote on that all three towns have to approve town meeting and during the election will be either in the spring or the fall of 2028. >> Um, select board member Hefernon is
representing Newbury on that team and then chair Deo >> is representing you very on the wittier team. >> Yeah. >> So, there'll be a lot more to come on those for sure. >> Yes. Yes. But it's, you know, that's one of the things that makes budgeting so
difficult, too, is when you have those presentations before you, whether it's school or town, um, and there's nothing that is lacking merit. I mean, they're all legitimate requests. There's just the resources are finite and they're
just >> dwindling right now. So, >> right, >> there's going to be some difficult decisions on on uh on the agenda this year. So, >> yes. >> Were you done?
>> Yeah, I am. Yes. >> Measures. Okay. >> And Richard, you've given us the PCC report. >> Yes. >> Is there anything? There's There is no capital planning committee report, correct? Nothing. >> No.
>> That's what we Yeah. You haven't been nothing. >> Okay. >> Um, is there any new business? All right. Do I hear a motion to move? >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I I