Finance Committee
Minutes Holden Finance Committee, February 24, 2021
Remote via Zoom
Members Present: Paul Challenger, Dave White, Joe Dolak, John Lambert, Chis Lucchesi., Don Graves, Jane Titcomb, Stephanie Adams, Marilynn Foley
Also Present: Peter Lukes, Town Manager, Stephanie King, Asst. Town Manager, Susan Scott, Library Director, Library Trustees, Russ Hall, Fire Chief
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.
Susan reviewed the past year at the Library, which was closed to the public since March because of COVID 19. In order to serve the public, the staff needed to be innovative. They started new outreach services and ways for materials to circulate to patrons. Susan reviewed the Library budget for F/Y22. Window replacements are in the Capital budget. Because the building is historic the windows have to specially constructed which is more costly. The budget calls for doing replacements over 5 years to lower the annual cost, however the FinCom wondered if it could be less costly per window if they were all replaced at the same time. Susan is to look into and get back to us.
Russ reviewed the past year at Police Headquarters. The department fared well with COVID 19, with no staff contracting the virus. 90% of the staff has been vaccinated. The staff has a shortage as 4 are out, (1 IOD, 1 national guard in D.C., 1 illness and 1 maternity). Everything else is status quo. The SAFER Grant ends in February. PPE was reimbursed by Federal and State funds. Extra time was needed at the end of shifts to disinfect the equipment. The department converted an old air pack into a sanitizing sprayer. The Capital budget includes hose coupling equipment to be replaced and a new jaws-of-life that will be compliant with new standards, and will be able to handle the new materials being used in vehicles.
Emergency Management Budget is basically the unchanged from the PY.
The Historical Commission Budget is unchanged from the PY.
Peter reported on information he received today from the WRSD Superintendent. Holden will have a 7 and1/2% increase, or $2.39 million dollars. Per Peter, the town cannot make enough cuts in the Municipal Budget to fund this increase. Peter talked in a virtual meeting with 3 of the other towns in the district. They are outraged at these increases. The Finance Committee will be meeting with the WRSD next week.
Paul briefly explained the spread sheets on Stabilization funds, free cash and levy limits.
A motion by Chris 2nd by Jane to approve the minutes of February 10, 2021 was voted unanimously Adams aye, Challenger aye, Dolak aye, Foley aye, Graves aye, Lambert aye, Lucchesi aye, Titcomb aye (abstained White).
A motion by Jane 2nd by John to approve the minutes of February 7, 2010 was voted unanimously Adams aye, Challenger aye, Dolak aye, Foley aye, Graves aye, Lambert aye, Lucchesi aye, Titcomb aye, White aye.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marilynn Foley, Clerk