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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Comm 09/08/2025Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 RECEIVED TOINN CLERKS OFFICE Present: Sara Walsh, Jack Cooney, Jenn Walsh, Lynn Cavicchi, Walter Wilk and Nftgh,1ff eFljwa 'fte5e]1t at Town Hall in Meeting Room 2 A/B. Also present were Mr. Josh Reinke, Acting Town Manager; Dr. Michelle McKeon, Superintendent; Mr. Barry LaCasse, Financial Consultant and Mr. Matfh6w`li6l1Wtte Director of Finance and Operations. FiAS.`l.(-"ll.`3f_ (TSt 1. Open Meeting Mr. Barry LaCasse called the Budget Subcommittee Meeting to order at 6:0013M. 2. Discussion and Consideration to Approve Meeting Minutes of December 19, 2024 and May 5, 2025 Motion: To approve as written the meeting minutes of December 19, 2024 and May 5, 2025. (J. Walsh/Cooney) Passes 6:0 3. Introductions Mr. LaCasse asked everyone to introduce themselves. 4. Reorganization Mr. LaCasse asked for nominations for Chair. Motion: To nominate Ms. Sara Walsh as Chair of the Budget Subcommittee. (Wilk/J. Walsh) Passes 6:0 Ms. Sara Walsh then asked for nominations for Vice -Chair. Motion: To nominate Ms. Cavicchi as Vice -Chair. (J. Walsh/Cooney) Passes 6:0 S. Review of Charge of the Budget Subcommittee Ms. Walsh then read the charge of the Budget Subcommittee and noted that it is advisory in nature and they are responsible for developing recommendations. 6. Overview and Review of Operating Budget and CIP Timeline Mr. LaCasse stated that this is a unique year and provided information from the Budget Timeline. He stated that Town Budget process begins in August and in early September there is this Budget Subcommittee meeting. Mr. LaCasse stated that they have had a leadership meeting to discuss this year's budget challenges. The timeline stated that in October the department heads submit their budgets and that has been accelerated. He stated that memos were sent to department heads to submit budgets in August and he does have the requests from all the departments. He stated that there are half a dozen union contracts that expire at the end of June 2026 and do not know what those contracts will look like. Mr. LaCasse stated that in past funds have been put in the Finance Committee Reserve Fund so that those contracts could be paid out once they have settled. He stated personnel services used 5% increase over FY26 and Employee benefits which includes pension, health, dental and 15%was added for FY27 based on what the expected rate increase will be. However, he stated that pension and dental are in that line item but they should not be increasing at 15%so that number should come down. He stated that the projected shortfall was $5.9M and as of tonight it was brought down to $5.1M. Ms. Cavicchi asked if the union contracts that expire are just municipal and not teachers and Mr. LaCasse responded yes. Mr. Violette provided a timeline of the Schools budget development 5%on salaries 3.5%on expenses. He stated that in October 3rd he will be sending templates to school principals and Department heads on October P. He expects to have a better idea of the increase percentage in November. Ms. Walsh asked when will we have pension from Bristol county and Mr. LaCasse responded it was received and has been entered and that brought down the shortfall to $5.1M. Ms. Walsh stated that Finance Committee has been trying to meet with Bristol County to talk with them to understand the expense. She stated that it would helpful to bring the catch-up number down and the scheduled moved out. Mr. Wilk asked what the normal yearly amount was and what was the catch-up amount. Mr. Violette responded that $1M would be the normal and with the catch up is between $SM and $6M. Ms. Jenn Walsh asked about the discussion around revisiting insurance task force and where the Town is with that. Mr. Wilk responded that he has been in touch with a consultant who provides analysis on the health plan and looks for ways to save money and benchmark the town against other towns. The Town offers mitigation (reimbursement of some medical expenses) to employees and that would need to be bargained with the unions to change it. Mr. Wilk asked what is the mitigation expense and Mr. LaCasse stated he can find the five-year average. 7. Budget Sub and Tri-Board Meeting Timeline and Discussion The Committee then discussed future dates of meetings and agreed on the dates below: -Tri-Board on September 3011 at 6PM in Meeting Room 3A/B - Budget Subcommittee on November 10`n at 6PM in Meeting Room 3 A/B -Tri-Board on December 1811 at 6PM in Meeting Room 3 A/B Mr. Feely noted that there will also be a CIP Meeting on September 29'n 8. FY27 and multi -year outlook This item was skipped. 9. Override Discussion Ms. Sara Walsh stated that the override did not pass last year and the Town is still faced with the same issues this year. She noted that the consequences to not passing an override this year will be more severe and there is a need to make people adequately informed. Ms. Sara Walsh commented that she thinks communication should have started earlier in the process last year with the override amount. Mr. Wilk disagreed and stated there were more meetings last year than any other year. Ms. Sara Walsh stated that it is not just about meetings but more about the Boards need to support things sooner. Mr. Cooney stated there should be listening sessions earlier to listen to the residents before the vote. Ms. Jenn Walsh agreed that there was good information at the information sessions and it would be helpful to hear the questions and then come back with answers. Ms. Cavicchi commented that a Budget 101 Session would be helpful to explain the process to residents. Ms. Sara Walsh agreed that fall listening sessions should be before the budget it finalized to hear questions and comments and feedback while we figure out what this number is. Mr. Feck commented that listening sessions have worked for the Planning Board. Ms. Sara Walsh commented that the Finance Committee is launching a survey and that could lead the way in the listening sessions. Mr. Wilk asked if advertising it in the electric bill would inform more people because generally speaking people only come when it is going to impact them and even still they do not come. Ms. Jenn Walsh commented that she thinks there may be more participation based on last year. Mr. Feely stated that last year residents were being told what we were going to do and instead this year we need to ask what they think we should do. Ms. Sara Walsh stated that she will work with Josh on finding dates for listening sessions. Mr. Wilk commented that we are not going to make everyone happy. Mr. Feck commented that people want to be heard even though the decision may not be what they want. Ms. Jenn Walsh commented that the earlier we hear the questions the longer there is to provide the information and educate the public. 10. Public Comment Mr. Feely commented that the idea of information sessions is fundamentally different than what was done last year because last year the budget was done by the time the information sessions were held. Ms. Doherty commented that the Planning Board is looked at as the most communicative board and people feel safe. She stated that it may be helpful to add this as an agenda item to the Select Board meeting so that we show that we care. 11. Committee Comments/Questions Mr. Wilk stated that the cuts last year were those that caused the least amount of damage to the daily operations of the Town. He then stated that there was a lot of information and there is some accountability for people to come. Ms. Jenn Walsh commented that she thinks a different format and more education sooner will help. Mr. Feck commented that people do not like when a decision is already made, they want opportunity to share their opinions. Dr. McKeon commented that it is important to be clear and transparent about what is being considered. Mr. Reinke stated that at a Department meeting the managers stated that they wanted to share about the invisible services that they do that the public may not be aware of and many residents may take certain services for granted. Mr. Wilk added that some cf the departments are only one person so getting rid of that person means certain services would not be done. 12. Any Items Not Known within 48 Hours There were no items. 13. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Budget Subcommittee Meeting of September 8, 2025 at 7:05PM. (Cavicchi/J. Walsh) Passes 6:0 tt �lu�2s Sig ure Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne