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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Comm 12/18/2026Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes December 18, 2025 l C E [) Present: Sara Walsh, Jack Cooney, Jenn Walsh, Lynn Cavicchi, Michael Feck and Walter were present at Town Hall in Meeting Room 3 A/B. Also present were Josh Reinke, Acting ToA M'2n6ger; Nick Monticello, Town Accountant; Dr. Michelle McKeon, Superintendent; and Matthew Violette, Director of France and Operations. School Committee Members Present: Lynn Cavicchi, Jenn Walsh, Diane Ready and Jenifer Sellon were present. Finance Committee Members Present: Sara Walsh, Scott Feely, Ryan Martin, Melinda Tarsi-Goldfien, Greta Loukos and Jack Cooney were present. Michael Flaherty was not present Select Board Members Present: Michael Feck, Maureen R. Doherty, Kostas Loukos, Brendan Roche and Walter Wilk were present. Mr. Roche was present virtually until he arrived in person at 6:26PM. 1. Open Meeting Ms. Sara Walsh called the Budget Subcommittee meeting to order at 6:05PM. Ms. Sara Walsh stated that the Finance Committee meeting was also called to order at 6:05PM. The Select Board meeting was called to order at 6:05PM by Mr. Wilk. The School Committee meeting was called to order at 6:05PM by Ms. Jenn Walsh. 2. Updated Review of FY 27 Budget Mr. Reinke began by stating that the FY27 Budget has a deficit of $4.9M. He stated that he hopes tonight the Boards/Committees can determine the split of how much the schools will need to cut and how much the town will need to cut. Ms. Sara Walsh asked when the other numbers are expected to come in like health insurance. Mr. Reinke responded that on January 1st the preliminary budget is posted, health insurance numbers come in towards the end of January and the state numbers come around March. He stated that they are budgetirJg eighteen percent increase for health insurance currently. 11 3. Review and Discussion of Expected Budget Scenarios for Next Meeting Ms. Sara Walsh stated that they first talked about doing the same as last year and have an override budget and a balanced budget. Mr. Martin commented that he did not think a $5 million override would pass and suggested a $2 or $3M amount. Dr. Tarsi-Goldfien commented that it is important to consider if we are considering level services from FY25 or FY26 because those all had cuts in them. Ms. Sara Walsh agreed and asked if there are things that should be added back in. Mr. Feck agreed with getting the number down because the vote at Town Meeting and Ballot were two to one, He stated that new salaries are outpacing revenues. Mr. Brendan Roche arrived at 6:26PM. Mr. Cooney commented that it would be hard to go back to what level services were in FY25. Mr, Feck commented that nothing has been done to change opinions and the concerns he has heard are valid and he reiterated that the salaries are the driving factor. Mr. Wilk commented that it is not just a two percent raise, it is usually more than that because of the steps and so it becomes compounded. Mr. Reinke noted that every person has to be looked at differently because each contract is different. Ms. Sara Walsh stated that she wanted to discuss getting to a number so that the Town and Schools can work on preparing a balanced budget and an override budget. She stated a middle number would be $3M. Mr. Martin commented that it was less than $3M and failed last year. Ms. Sara Walsh commented that maybe they can get down lower and asked what would be some reasonable cuts. Mr, Loukos commented that cuts should be made that don't affect residents and services too heavily. Mr. Wilk noted that last year the cuts to Mansfield Green were thought to be least impactful but many residents have spoken about how upset they are about it. Ms. Doherty stated that last year it was confusing when the Town and Schools were each told to cut a million and asked what percentage each should be cutting of the $3M. Ms. Sara Walsh responded that should be discussed. Mr. Wilk asked what the health insurance split would be if town and schools were divided. Mr. Monticello responded 66% schools and 34% town which includes. Mr. Cooney asked what was considered last year when it was just a 50/50 split. Ms. Sara Walsh responded that in the past couple years it has been 50/50 but the Town can only do so much. Mr. Feely stated that it is hard to debate this when there is not a balanced budget to look at. Ms. Doherty stated that all the unions are going to be entering into contract negotiations. Ms. Jenn Walsh stated that the teacher's union is being bargained this year. Mr. Feely stated that one of the doable cuts is to increase class sizes. Ms. Jenn Walsh stated that class sizes can only really be changed at the elementary level and at high school it would be cuts to elective offerings. Mr. Loukos stated that a 65/35 split would be too aggressive in the schools. Mr. Wilk asked how many school employees on the town verses the schools. Mr. Reinke responded that there are 622.5 at schools and 175 are town employees. Dr. Tarsi-Goldfien stated that it could be split by comparing the percentage of expenditures. Ms. Cavicchi recommended that if the Tri-Board gives the Superintendent and Town Manager high level direction they can work together to collaborate to get to a balanced budget. Dr. McKeon came forward and stated that they need to look this holistically and need to be creative and not just make reductions based on the number of employees. She was in support of taking a range and direction and working with the Town Manager to make the cuts. Ms. Sara Walsh summarized what had been said and that the Town and Schools should prepare a balanced budget and work together with a range of a 60/40 to a 65/35 split and then a budget with a $3M override. She stated that it should include a list of impacts to services. 4. Discussion of January through May Calendar and Meetings (Budget Sub Committee and Tri Board) Ms. Sara Walsh stated that Budget Subcommittee is scheduled on February 111n. Mr. Roche asked when Town Meeting is being planned for and Mr. Reinke stated possibly April. It was also noted that the Town Election is May 121n. Ms. Jenn Walsh noted that the schools have to notify teachers by a certain date per their contract. Mr. Martin asked what that date was and she responded that it was May 15tn Ms. Doherty left the meeting at 7:15PM. Ms. Cavicchi stated that the schools have to have a budget hearing and that could be in March. The Committees then discussed when to have the next Tri-Board and it was decided to have a Tri-Board meeting on Thursday, February 26tn S. Update and Discussion on Health Insurance Consultant Report and Health Insurance Options Mr. Reinke stated that he spoke with the consultant request for proposals are due back the first week in January. He stated that they are scheduled to come to the last meeting in January or the first meeting in February to present to the Select Board. 6. Discussion of Financial Policies Ms. Sara Walsh stated that the polices were updated and approved by the three Boards and they can be signed after the meeting ends. 7. Update on Finance Committee Survey Dr. Tarsi-Goldfien stated that there are approximately 80 people who have completed the survey. She stated that it is available on the towns website and hard copies are available at the COA/Library. Ms. Sara Walsh asked if there were any opportunities to mail the survey to residents or include in an electric bill. 8. Public Comment me about what he has been working on torsave money onaheat h insuratn et He fated that for the family HMO everyone plan the Town is paying $2,000 per month towards that plan and for the family PPO plan the Town is paying $3,600 per month. This means that the employees on the PPO are getting about $20,000 more and it is an inequity. He stated that the Town of Foxboro have adjusted the contribution rate to adjust for this. He believes if there about 50 employees on this plan it could save the Town about $800,000. Mr. Wilk asked how the contributions would be adjusted. Mr. Schoonveld stated that right now its 75/25 split and the Town could go to a 50/50 split. Mr. Wilk stated that it would be hard to go to a 50/50 split with the unions. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he did not think it needed to be bargained with the unions, Mr, Reinke stated that this information was provided to HILB Group to look at. Mr. Schoonveld also recommended the removal of the mitigation program which is reimbursement for copays. Mr. Wilk asked for this to be sent to labor counsel to also confirm what changes can be made that do not need to be bargained. Mr. Wilk asked what the current split was and it is 70/30 split for active employees and 75/25 for retirees. 9. Any Items Not Anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours prior to the meeting There were no items. 10. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Budget Subcommittee Meeting of December 18 at 7:29PM. (Cooney/J. Walsh) Passes 6:0 School Committee Adjourn: Motion: To adjourn the School Committee Meeting of December 18, 2025 at 7:29PM. (Sellon/Ready) Passes 4:0 Select Board Adjourn: Motion: To adjourn the Select Board Meeting of December 18, 2025 at 7:29PM, (Feck/Loukos) Passes 4:0 Finance Committee Adjourn: Motion: To adjourn the Finance Committee Meeting of December 18, 2025 at 7:29PM. (Feely/Martin) Passes 6:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date