First, we'll do a roll call to establish quorum. >> Starting. >> Joe Ali, present. >> Richard Keys, present. >> Vanessa Rossy, present. >> Frank Scotty, present. >> Steve Kenny, present.
>> Amy Craft, present. All right, we have a quorum. Uh, we need to review the minutes from the last meeting. If anyone has any questions, comments,
criticisms hearing none. Do I hear a motion? >> Motion to approve. Minute. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Okay. Um, public comments to receive oral
communications from 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 time raised during public comment, but may choose to add the topic to a future agenda. This segment will be limited to
15 minutes. Seeing no members of the general public, we can move on. Uh I am not privy to any written or email communications received since September 2nd. I think it is a
safe assumption there have been none. Um but if there are, I'm sure that Erica will address them in the next meeting. Um, so we move on to the town
administrator's report. >> Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Um, a couple of things have occurred since we last met. Uh, primarily the certification of our free cash. This year we had a pretty significant balance. It was 3,285,964.
You may recall last year it was a little over 2.5 million. Um, at the annual town meeting, the town did vote to rescend our PEG special revenue account. So, the a big portion of the increase, a little
over one almost 1.2 million was a direct result of putting those funds into the general fund. So, they became a component free of free cash and are available for expenditure. At this point in time, we had um in addition to that,
we had received an influx of about $1.6 million in state and federal grants combined last year. So, um that was another another component of free cash this year. We're preparing though for
our annual audit. And in addition to that, although it feels like we just finished town meeting, or does for me anyway, um we're already starting the fiscal year 2027 budget. The news is not good. >> We met with our healthcare provider and
we've already been notified to project an 18% premium increase. And that's actually not bad considering what they're seeing. Believe it or not, our experience, our pool's experience is relatively good. >> What was the increase? 25 to 26.
>> 25 to 26, I think, was 11. >> 11 11 points. Yeah. >> Yeah. And normally we would be in, you know, the single digits. For many years, we were four, six, you know, bad year was eight, but it's just increasing
exponentially at this point in time. Um, >> but even the years we were running at six, inflation was running at a point and a half. >> Exactly. Exactly. >> And you're still talking about a 4x increase over real. >> It's not a bad business to run 30% increase in two years.
>> So that's the lucky ones, right? >> We're relatively modest in terms of some of the increases that they're seeing. Yes. So that's going to obviously be one of our significant budget busters this year. We're, like I said, we're already
off to that relatively bad start. Um, Maya, also the the Massachusetts Municipal Association, I don't know if Do you get copies of the Beacon emailed to you? It's it's our trade magazine. You do not. All right. I can I'll make
sure that you're all on that list. >> Um, they just put out a position paper. It's it's called a perfect storm. Cities and towns face historic fiscal pressures. it was in their October issue. Um, I'll send it out so you'll all have it's it's a quick read, but
it's an interesting read because it's it's talking about what's happening right now with all of the cities and towns and, you know, rising cost, sluggish state aid is, you know, equaling um budgetary pressures for all of the municipal communities. And it
also does kind of zero in a little bit on education funding and how communities like ours are are being pressured to decrease their education funding. The situation that we're seeing exclusive of an override proposal, whereas the
cities, the larger cities are getting these huge influxes of education funding. So, it's kind of creating a little bit of a disparity between the two. Um, but as we get into as we move into the the budget process and the
season, it's it kind of sets the stage for what we're going to be looking at um during the cycle. So, >> yeah. >> And it's very early. Any rumblings from the state in terms of the pressure the state's under that could affect >> um local?
>> Nothing yet. I mean, what we've seen over the years is Massachusetts is not very generous when it comes to state funding of its municipalities, and that's in this report as well. So, um, we've received nothing to indicate to us that we're going to get a windfall or
any additional funding. Um, at this point, we're just kind of budgeting for a 0% increase on our revenue side. So, >> yeah. >> Y, >> of the 1.8 8 million in grants received state and federal. What was the
breakdown? Federal to state, you know, ballpark. >> I don't know off the top of my head, but I can get that. >> No, no, it's all right. That's right. I was just I was just curious to >> Yeah. And obviously, we're anticipating, although it's not 100% sure, you know, a
decline this year in our federal um grant initiatives. um some aren't coming at all and some are coming with a lot of strings attached that we haven't had to sign off on in the past. So >> um you know we can expect a decline on
the revenue side of the balance sheet as well >> of the 18% increase in healthcare costs. >> What is the breakdown as to how that's carried? Do you know? So, yep, we um the town pays 75% and the the participant
pays 25% >> of the increase >> of the >> or that's always >> of the increase. >> Okay. So, that that's the >> that's the >> that's the ratio that's set no matter what. So, that's the ratio that carries forth any increases. >> Yes.
>> And how do they they pay that additional 25% in premiums or >> in premiums? >> Okay. there's no can't play with the co-pays or >> so we we have um put in some plan design
changes over the last couple of years in in hopes of mitigating the impact of the increases we've been faced with um we can certainly do that again we have to get union buy in when we do that but they're pretty um pretty competitive
right now we we have asked our provider to run us some um some scenarios with increasing um not co-pays but um deductibles. >> Uh so once we get that we may save a
little bit but we might save 1 to 2% by doing that. So >> yeah I mean I you know I mean I always think >> yeah the union but I would >> depends upon your family situation of course and depends upon your health and there's a ton of moving parts to that. There's there's a ton of variables to
that, but >> absolutely, >> you know, and I don't really know what your typical employee demographic looks like, but to me, I'd rather run the risk of maybe having to pay additional deductibles because they're going to find a way to get you on your
deductible anyway, >> of course. >> But I I'd rather play that game than know that I'm reaching into my pocket for a 25% increase out of my >> And we've had, as you know, a significant amount of retirements in the last couple of years. So, our workforce
is is getting younger >> in town, so we may be able to make some changes. >> Yeah, be nice to to do the math on it. I I think I think most people would opt for that. >> Yeah, I'll keep you posted. >> People are generally optimistic about their health for whatever reason.
>> Um, >> okay. >> I was going to end one thing for Tricky. So the the select board recognized Jean Case in a nice ceremony >> uh several weeks ago. >> So >> Oh, did they? Cool. >> Yeah. I I came out poptar. Senator Tar
was here and Kristen Castner. So the board the select board presented him a certificate and and both Senator Tar won from the Senate and uh >> and then Kristen Kner one from the House. So >> a 100red years of town service. >> Yes.
>> I'm sure it felt like it. Yeah, he actually got up and said, "Yeah, I started teaching at the uh at New Elementary in 1965." >> Then he went over to the to the uh Knock in 1972 when it opened up. >> That's crazy.
>> Then he ended up being like the assistant superintendent. He oversaw the the uh basically the upgrade to Newport High School in the early 2000s. Then he went on the school committee and then on a finance committee. So
>> yeah. So it was a very nice very nice ceremony in the city. >> He he didn't actually retired that long ago, did he? >> Retired from teaching that long ago. >> I mean, he must have he must have talked forever because I I kind of remember
him having been recently retired from teaching. >> He was he was the superintendent assistant superintendent in the Newport school system. So >> yeah. When did he when did he leave that? Do you know? Do you know what year He >> I don't know if it was 2000. >> So that they did that reconstruction in
I think it ended like 2005 somewhere in there. So it was after that. >> Yeah. So he had at least four years in the school district. >> Yep. >> And he survived having Dana Packard as a student >> in fifth grade.
>> I was joking with Dana about that. Yeah. He says, "I don't know if he remembers." It said, "Dana, he remembered remembers everything." >> Um, all right. So, is there anything else in relation to that? Okay.
>> Um, old business dcc report. >> So, Vanessa and I attended the September meeting. There was not one in October. >> So, they gave a a general let's see, we confirmed all the dates that we're meeting. We're meeting this Thursday
um at the Salsbury Library to start at 6 o'clock. They want as many members uh as possible to attend. They're going to do an overview of the chapter 70 the funding for the schools. So that was uh a lot of the discussion.
Um general update. So um Brian just talked about the school year's kicked off and it feels like it's like precoid it's back to normal. So he was happy. He's doing u some Facebook videos to get
information out. He's using the portrait of a learner and uh he's got everybody focused on so last month it was problem solver. So he went interviewed some teachers at Pinerove and Newbury Elementary and Salsbury Elementary on
what they do for problem solving. And then we just shifted to communications on how when Triton was built, the way we communicated and the way we communicate today is totally different. >> So, but the weekly weekly videos come
out on Facebook and uh so they're uh very interesting. And then uh so he talked about getting that information out. They also talked about the uh gave us an update on the building project. So of
course that was uh our first meeting in September. So it was okay we we got everything in in a we've been accepted to go into module two >> and now >> slightly ahead of schedule >> ahead of schedule because that was supposed to be a year. It would have been December where they were notified.
He did say that um the MSBA bumped up the enrollment to from 730 to 895. So basically that's the number they're going to use to size the the school, 895
students. So they're looking for a U program manager uh so a project manager. So they're they think maybe January they'll have that individual identified and then they're looking at the a full design team in
early April and then probably vote on this in either the spring or the fall of 2028. So, and then project completion 2030 to 2031. And then that's when Vanessa's jaw dropped. My daughter might get the last
year. We it was a it was a long discussion about probably the most of the bulk of the discussion was about the building project and talking about the >> some kind of getting into the nitty-gritty of those those actual years
of construction which I because I think there's so many rumors in the community about what's what's the end date but also like Brian was talking to you know about what what the experience would be during those actual construction years in detail which was really interesting to hear right >> um
>> if all goes Yes. So, so they do have some workshops going on. So, I've been subbing up at Triton. So, I've been seeing them in the library. So, they've met several times. They've got educators. They've got um from the history department, from
sports, from video, the video tech people and students, parents, they're all meeting together. What do we want in the school? And then they're writing all of that down. And then they'll have that information. So when the project manager comes, it's we're not building a school
just focused by the by the architects and the construction people. We get the input from the people who actually will be residing in the building and can make a difference on how the how the building operates. So So it was it's very interesting just to
>> see it in operation as I'm going from class to class that they're all in that huge library down there. So >> he did There was a little bit of a side conversation at one point about he he he mentioned that there's been discussion
over the years about the idea of um actually changing the um elementary school to one through five and incorporating sixth grade into the middle school and the you know the the pros and cons of that which I it doesn't
sound like that's being heavily debated or or is is seriously on the table but it's something that they're considering when they're talking about the the population and um you know all all the academic and social ramifications of that. So we got into a
little bit of a we had people had some comments about that when I said that um because obviously our community is is unusual that we our elementary schools one through six but um I think a lot of people like it that way. Um but yeah it
is not common. So, >> so >> did you see it's been published in October, but the uh >> growing noise at the state house that MSBA funds favor two heavily wealthier communities
and uh leaving the uh leaving the underserved to go begging into dilapidated buildings. >> Yeah, I heard that. >> Yeah, it's been >> But it sounds like the disinformation. >> Yes. Yeah. that uh >> cuz I I
>> timing on that's not great. >> But yet chapter 70 tells a very different story. >> So >> um anything else about DCC? >> No, I think that's uh those were the key events. We met in
morale meeting at the Salsbury meeting this Thursday. um capital planning committee report that you join. >> No, >> I'm happy to fill you in. So, so we
haven't really started capital planning November 1st is when all the requests are due. So, they're all >> coming in now. >> You know how that works. Um, so what I'll do is I'll I'll put them all together and then I get them out to the
the committee members and the chair and we'll call a meeting. So we haven't officially started meeting yet for this season. >> Okay. Marshall's still the big boss man >> as of right now. Once the new committee gets together, they'll form and they
will, you know, elect a chair. >> Okay. >> Don't be late for the meeting. You two >> we don't yet. Okay. >> He does usually meet in the morning, so early morning. I don't know if that's easy or harder. >> Okay.
>> Schedule book covering meetings. Uh, as Richard mentioned, Thursday 6:00 Salssworth Downtown Library for anyone who can attend that is dcc. Uh otherwise, our next meeting is slated
for Tuesday, December 2nd at 700 p.m. Unless anyone takes issue with that and then I guess the following will be January 6th at 7 p.m. >> Is there anything else? >> No. Do we hear a motion to
Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I Okay.