HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Comm, 02/20/2020Budget Subcommittee
Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2020
Present:lenn Walsh; Lynn Cavicchi; Frank Delvecchio; Michael A. Trowbridge; Brian Eagle; and Walter Wilk
Also Present: Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director; Teresa Murphy, Superintertdl3nt;
Edward Donaghue, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations and Kevin Dumas, Town Manager r
1. Open Meeting
Mr. Wilk called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.
2. Approve December 19, 2019 and February 5, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Motion: To approve December 19, 2019 Meeting Minutes. (Eagle/Delvecchio)
Passes 6:0
Motion: To approve February 5, 2020 Meeting Minutes. (Eagle/Trowbridge)
Passes 6:0
3. Review of FY21 Budget Status
Mr. LaCasse reviewed the information that had been sent to the committee members and stated as of that point the
budget was conditionally balanced but since then he has been able to meet with all of the department heads and
the budget is balanced at this point.
Mr. Delvecchio asked if there were things in the budget that had been pushed off to the following fiscal year but Mr.
LaCasse stated no.
Ms. Cavicchi asked about shifting items from operating budget to capital budget and she had concerns about using
free cash to fund these capital items. Mr. LaCasse confirmed that $200,000 for technology and $100,000 for
textbooks was moving to capital budget. Mr. Eagle stated that if these items were capital items they needed to start
in the capital budget and not move back and forth between operating and capital. Superintendent Murphy stated
that going forward she would like to have these items in the operating budget as they are instructional materials but
is grateful that there are capital funds available for them this year. Ms. Walsh stated that the computers started in
the operating budget but were moved to capital to ensure they were funded this fiscal year.
Mr. Eagle asked if computers should be in operating or capital and Mr. Trowbridge stated that the CIP has had the
same debate about computers and textbooks.
Mr. LaCasse addressed all of the questions previously submitted by Mr. Eagle via email concerning specific line items
contained in the spreadsheets Mr. LaCasse had provided the Committee. Mr. Eagle stated that he appreciated the
effort by Mr. LaCasse.
Ms. Cavicci stated that the OPEB Task Force had just met earlier that evening and had 3 recommendations outlined
in a memo by Mr. Steve Schoenfeld. These three items were: 1) use $256,000 from healthcare stabilization fund to
subsidize the FY21 budget; 2) adopt the OPEB Funding Policy; and 3) increase contribution to OPEB to 30% of
monthly premiums.
Mr. Wilk stated that each Committee (School, Finance and Select Board) each needs to take the budget back for
approval. Mr. Dumas stated that he and Superintendent Murphy would like to make a public budget presentation
with department heads present in case anyone has any questions, etc. prior to Town Meeting. Mr. Eagle stated that
the public did not understand the budget process and the time that is involved in the process. Ms. Cavicchi stated
that the School Committee has to have a public budget meeting by law. Possible dates were going to be circulated
to the Committee after checking the high school's availability.
Mr. Dumas stated that they started the budget process in December more than $2 million in the red and now in
February the budget was balanced and all the hard work was greatly appreciated.
4. Any Items Not Known 48 hours of meeting
There were no items.
5. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the February 27, 2020 meeting at 7:05 PM (Eagle/Trowbridge)
Passes 6:0
Signature
Minutes prepared by Mary Dalton
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