HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Sub Comm. 02/09/2022Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2022
Present: Jenn Walsh; Lynn Cavicchi; Frank Delvecchio; Michael A. Trowbridge; Sara Wall�j cQ-��_�MiMeltand
Also Present: Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director; Chief Justin'! sYds�e'r's`
Kevin Dumas, Town Manager 1011 4RR 14 P Q: 41
Jenn Walsh and Lynn Cavicchi were not present at the start of the meeting but arrived It.�a:7-
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1. Open Meeting
The Select Board and Finance Committee were invited and each were called to order. Mr. Trowbridge called
the Select Board meeting to order at 6:01PM. Mr. Schoonveld, Mr. Aptowitz and Mr. DelVecchio were present
Ms. Sara Walsh called the Finance Committee to order at 6:01PM with Mr. Walter Wilk, Mr. Jack Cooney and
Mr. Feely in attendance.
Ms. Sara Walsh, Chair of the Budget Subcommittee opened the meeting at 6:03PM.
2. Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Dis
Chief Desrosiers, Fire Chief went through his budget items and noted the different from FY22 to FY23. The
majority of the increases to line items was due to contractual obligations and there were no changes in the
number of employees. Some items that may fluctuate will be the utilities because as of now the Fire budget
includes water and electric for the North Main Street Fire station that is vacant so there will be savings once
that building is sold. Chief Desrosiers also noted the expected retirement in FY23 of Deputy Chief Merritt.
Ms. Cavicchi and Ms. Jenn Walsh arrived at 6:12PM.
Those in attendance were given an opportunity to ask questions. Chief Desrosiers then went though the EMS
and Emergency Management budgets. Chief Desrosiers also noted that during COVID the number of
emergency calls had significantly dropped because there were less accidents due to everyone staying home as
well as people were afraid of catching COVID. He noted that the calls are back to pre-covid times and may
even been higher. The Chief noted how valuable the Emergency Management volunteers are. There are small
stipends but the group as a whole does hundreds of hours of volunteering. Mr. Wilk asked the Chief if he
anticipates additional staff and he answered that not within the next two years. Mr. Cooney asked if the
Plymouth Street station would close and Chief Desrosiers stated that it would not because it would be a 12-15
response time for some residents and also money was just spent making repairs to the building.
Mr. Dumas then presented his departments budget. The biggest change was that in FY22 when the budget
was developed a total of $525,000 was lumped in his department to cover all of the five union contracts that
were not yet finalized at the time of budget approval. He then noted the Town Manager's office now has an
additional full-time administrative assistant that was added so the additional dollars in salaries -clerical is
increased for that position. Ms. Sara Walsh asked about the legal expenses and Mr. Dumas provided a
summary of the legal firms and special counsel that the town has for negotiations and the cable contract
negotiations. Mr. Dumas then stated that for insurances he added a five percent increase as it is too soon to
know what those amounts will be for next year.
The Select Board adjourned there meeting followed by the Finance Committee.
Motion: To adjourn the February 9, 2022 Select Board meeting at 6:5513M. (Delvecchio/Schoonveld)
Passes 4:0
Motion: To adjourn the February 9, 2022 Finance Committee meeting at 6:55PM. (Wilk/Feely)
Passes 4:0
3. Any Items Not Known within 48 Hours
There were no items.
4. Meeting Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn the February 9, 2022 Budget Subcommittee meeting at 6:56PM. (Trowbridge/Wilk)
Passes 6:0
Signatur
Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne
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