Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Comm 11/10/2025Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025 Present: Sara Walsh, lack Cooney, Jenn Walsh, and Michael Feck were present at Town Meeting Room 3 A/B. Also present were Mr. Josh Reinke, Acting Town Manager; Dr. Michelle McKeon; Superinten'denli; Ms. Amy Bright and Mr. Matthew Violette, Director of Finance and Operations.r. Not Present: Walter Wilk and Lynn Cavicchi 2 A Oil Open Meeting 1. Open Meeting Ms. Sara Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:07PM. 2. Discussion and Consideration to Approve the September 8, 2025 and September 30, 2025 Meeting Minutes Motion: To approve the meeting minutes. (J. Walsh/Cooney) Passes 4:0 FY 27 Budget Process Update 3. Discussion with Town and School Officials on Budget Process Underway Mr. Reinke began the discussion and stated that he met with the health insurance broker, MIAA and they advised that the Town should be estimating the health insurance rates to increase by 16-18%. He stated that they were budgeting for a 15% increase so the budget shortfall is now $5.6M. Mr. Violette stated that they have wrapped up the budget process with the departments and principals of each school. He stated that they are in range of the initial target that was discussed. General Discussions Impacting Budget 4. Discussion on Insurance Consultant Project commissioned by Select Board Mr. Feck stated that he does not believe the Board has anything back yet. Mr. Reinke commented that he reached out after the last Select Board meeting. He stated that they got permission to speak to MIAA but there is nothing of substance to report back. Ms. Sara Walsh asked when they were going to give information. Mr. Reinke expects to have information back from them within the next 30 days. Ms. Sara Walsh asked to be advised when it will be discussed at the Select Board meeting so that they can attend. S. Discussion on Capital Improvement Plan Guideline and Recommendation from Finance Committee Ms. Sara Walsh stated that while reviewing the financial policies there was a change in wording in the Free Cash Policy to say "capital improvement items" instead of "capital improvement projects." She noted that the Finance Committee recommended that the CIP Committee should make a recommendation of the overarching guidelines. Mr. Feck stated it was discussed at the Select Board meeting that the CIP Committee should be ranking the projects as well. Mr. Feck then stated that items need to be consistent and not on CIP one year and operating the next year. Ms. Sara Walsh asked when the schools will have a budget presentation and Dr. McKeon responded December 2"d Communications and Meeting Planning 6. Review and Discussion of Slides for November Financial Listening Sessions sponsored by Finance Committee Ms. Sara Walsh announced the listening session dates that the Finance Committee is doing. She passed around the draft slides for the listening sessions. She also provided an overview of the information that will be presented and expects to spend about thirty minutes presenting and remaining time will be for questions. 7. Discussion of Winter and Spring Budget Communications Planning The Committee discussed some key points of communicating the information in the spring. Ms. Sara Walsh noted that this would be discussed again at the Tri-Board meeting but wanted to have a recommendation. Ms. Jenn Walsh noted that the Schools have to give enough notice prior to letting any teachers go. Mr. Reinke stated that dates have not yet been decided for Town Meeting but the Election is May 12th and last year Town Meeting was a week prior to the Election. Mr. Violette explained that Town Meeting and the Election were held close together and it was important to avoid the expense of having a second election. Mr. Cooney noted that it has to be made clear that it is a two-part process for an override. Many residents claimed they didn't know they had to vote after the Town Meeting. Ms. Sara Walsh asked if Mr. Reinke could pull together a sequence of events and he responded that he knows the document she is referring to and he has the slides from last year. 8. Discussion of Departmental Voices Ms. Sara Walsh stated that it is going to be important for departments to get before the Select Board and explain what the cuts to their departments will look like. Mr. Reinke commented that he had spoken with a website consultant but is planning to get more information on the Towns website including department heads giving testimonials of how the budget reductions affect them. 9. Discussion of Future Budget Subcommittee Meetings (Schedules and Deliverables) Mr. Violette thought it is important to have all the information before having meetings like the health insurance rates because it is a huge budget driver. Mr. Reinke agreed that it is important to have the health insurance rate because a slight change to the percentage has huge implications. Mr. Violette stated that even between January and May things change and it is important to be consistent, Ms, Sara Walsh stated that she would like to see an override budget and a budget with the cuts like last year. She stated that some people did not know the consequences of not having an override pass. Mr. Feck stated that he felt it was clear last year what was being cut, but it will be important to explain what will be lost without an override. Dr. McKeon commented that although they cannot be specific about the positions it could be categorized in big buckets. Dr, McKeon stated that the presentation this year from the schools will have a lot more detail than what was seen in the past. Ms. Sara Walsh asked if the information could be ready by early to mid -February and Mr. Violette responded that was reasonable. Mr. Cooney commented that last year a multi -year override was discussed and is that something that would be considered. Ms. Sara Walsh responded that would be a Tri-Board discussion item. Mr. Feck commented that it would be a tough sell to do a multi -year. Ms. Sara Walsh commented that a lot can change in a year but it is worth discussing. The Committee then decided to have their next meeting on Monday, February 11tn 10. Discussion of Proposed agenda for December 18 Tri-Board meeting Ms. Sara Walsh asked if anyone had anything. Public Comment 11. Public Comment There were none. Meeting Conclusion 12. Any Items Not Known within 48 Hours There were no items. 13. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Budget Subcommittee Meeting of November 10, 2025 at 6:4313M. (J. Walsh/Cooney) Passes 4:0 �j igriatur- Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Zl Date