Finance Committee
Minutes Holden Finance Committee, March 10, 2021
Remote via Zoom
Members Present: Paul Challenger, John Lambert, Chris Lucchesi, Don Graves, Jane Titcomb, Stephanie Adams, Marilynn Foley
Members Absent: Dave White, Joe Dolak
Also Present; Peter Lukes, Town Manager, John Woodsmall, Director DPW, Chris Demoranville,
Supervisor of Operations, Isabel McCauley, Town Engineer
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 PM.
John reviewed the DPW Budget. Most of the F/Y 22 budget is lower than F/Y 21. The Administration is up slightly due maintenance, step increases and 1% COLA. There are no Capital items in this budget.
The Engineering Budget has savings due to personnel changes. John discussed the Post Closure monitoring of the landfill to comply with the EPA, which is done quarterly. The capital budget items are culvert/ bridge assessments, culvert/bridge rehabilitation and the second year of a 2-year contract on catch basin cleaning. The Committee discussed whether these were actually capital or operating expenses. Per Peter, the classification doesn’t impact the budget or tax rate, but does change which warrant articles fund which expenses.
The Highway Budget also has savings. A decrease in street sweeping since sand is no longer used during winter storms. The Chapter 90 funds from the state are supplemented by the town for the upkeep of roads and sidewalks. The Capital budget includes a Walk Behind Road Saw for use in street repairs, a Concrete Core Drill and replacement of Truck #10.
The Mechanics Division Budget is basically the same as F/Y 21.
The Buildings and Grounds Budget has minimum wages changes and a decrease in the cleaning contract. Chris Demoranville updated the Committee on the repair of the Mountview Fields. The UMass turf management program-on line advised the B&G Department. The fields are now looking good.
The site management (utilities, etc.) at the new building at Industrial Drive during construction has been paid from the Building Committee's budget. Next year the building should be turned over to the DPW in April, so the last few month’s expenses are included in the DPW Budget.
Peter reported that the WRSD Superintendent and his administrators are working on reducing the WRSD budget and Holden's assessment. Holden is looking into reducing the town's insurance budget based on new information received.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marilynn Foley, Clerk