Finance Committee Meeting 2/28/23

Meeting of the Finance Committee 

Finance Committee Members present: Frank Abbot, Michele Miller

Finance Committee Members present remotely: Ilene Marcus

Other individuals present: Melissa Noe, Laurie McArthur (SB secretary), Susan Cooper, Brian Fahey, Tom Mensi, Christopher Andrews, Gerard Clarin

Other individuals present remotely: Kenn Basler

Minutes of the meeting 2/28/23

Meeting Date: Tuesday February 28, 2023

Meeting Opened at 3:11 pm

Agenda

CONSIDER MINUTES AS AVAILABLE

Minutes will be reviewed during the next meeting.

REVIEW BUGET AND FINALIZE PROPOSALS

The Finance Committee discussed the special articles listed on the budget.  Melissa explained the spreadsheet and which categories were considered stabilization or free cash.  Michele said that the taxes will fall under the operating budget.  Michele explained that some items will be taken out of free cash, and Melissa explained how the free cash works.  

Melissa said that there was a larger amount of turn backs in the previous years due to Covid.  Michele said that the 1ton truck was going to come from stabilization, and the tractor will come from Chapter 90 funds.  Melissa removed the tractor, police cruiser, and one of the radios from the budget.  Melissa explained that they would have another $100,000 if they do not lower the tax rate.  Susan explained the low levy last year due to the error made the previous year.  Melissa said that the budget levy looks like a large amount, but due to having corrected the error it appeared to be a larger increase in the budget levy.  Melissa recommended deciding on a specific amount to utilize to lower the tax rate on an annual basis.  Susan discussed concerns with not putting any funds into stabilization, recommending putting $50,000 into stabilization and utilizing the remaining funds to purchase a new Police Cruiser.  

The Finance Committee is not in favor of the $100,000 being utilized to lower the tax rate.  Michele discussed putting $50,000 into stabilization, and then utilizing the other $50,000 towards the new cruiser; however, Frank said that they would now need to purchase a radio for the new cruiser. 

Susan provided an update regarding the Southern Berkshire Ambulance meeting that she attended.  They consider the fee to be for readiness so that paramedics are readily available to come out for a call.  There will be another meeting in two weeks to discuss the long-term viability of staying with Southern Berkshire Ambulance.  Susan said that Gt. Barrington has a commercial enterprise and other sources of income that Monterey does not have. 

CONSIDER FINANCING OPTIONS

PREPARE FOR JOINT SELECTBOARD MEETING: PARKS DEPT

FURTHER DISCUSSION ON POLICE CRUISER

            Brian explained the need for the third Police cruiser, reporting the cruiser will be required for particular future trainings. He also reported that the Police Department has expanded in the recent months and he hopes to eventually expand to a fourth full-time officer position.  Frank inquired about the overall data pertaining to various offenses, and the justification for Police Cruisers to cover those shifts.  Michele discussed information provided to the Finance Committee by Melissa, and she explained the process for having to choose between requests along with how the state is mandating the structure.  Brian explained that most trainings will be out near Sturbridge or Grafton as opposed to being in Berkshire County.  Brian explained the difficulty of only having one vehicle should the other be required at a training and discussed the average life of a Police Cruiser.  Ilene asked whether the Police Cruiser had been included in the current budget.  Melissa explained when the other cruisers were due to be replaced along with the costs of a new cruiser.  Melissa said that once the contract is signed, they are required to accept the vehicle.  Frank discussed additional questions he had regarding obtaining a third vehicle for the Police Department.  Michele said that she believed that they will have to get a third vehicle and this will be a transitional period.  

CONSIDER LEGACY COSTS

Frank explained the concept of Legacy costs and reported that once the cost is taken on this cost will be utilized in future budgets.  Frank said that raises were offered this year and we will notice how this impacts the budget in future years.  

 Michele moved to adjourn the Finance Committee meeting.  Frank seconded.  Call a vote: Michele- yes, Frank- yes; meeting adjourned at 3:59pm