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Town of Lunenburg
Finance Committee:
Terri Burchfield, Chairman
Mark Erickson, Vice-Chairman
Jay Simeone, Secretary
John Henshaw
Hannah Anderson
George Martin
Cindy Testa
Location:
Present:
Absent:
Guest:
17 Main Street, P.O. Box 135
Lunenburg, MA 01462-0135
978.582.4139
FAX 978.582.4148
Lunenburg Finance Committee
Minutes 02-14-17
Town Hall
Calle
Terri Burchfield, Mark Erickson, Jay Simeone, John Henshaw, George Martin, Cindy Testa
Hannah Anderson
Joint meeting with Board of Selectmen (BOS), Capital Planning Committee (CC), Heather
Lemieux - Town Manager (TM), School Superintendent Loxi Calms. Town Dept. heads, members
of the public
1. Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:11 pm. Televised meeting. Available at Lunenburg Public Access
channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-LccHsLiGE
2. CPC presentation:
The Facilities Maintenance had requested $248,050 to fund five projects. Three of the projects were
rated a priority one by the CPC. The CPC recommended $216,050 for three priority one projects.
The DPW requested $108,891 for one project and two vehicles. The project and one vehicle were
rated as a priority one. The CPC recommend $65,767 for the two priority one items.
The Fire Dept. requested $1,565,000 for three vehicles: a command car, one engine and one ladder
truck. The command car was rated a priority one. The CPC recommended $60K for the command car.
The Police Dept. requested $ 158K for two cruisers, eight tasers, one ATV and riot gear. The cruisers and
the Tasers were rated a priority one. The CPC recommended $121,500 for the cruisers and the tasers.
The Schools requested $197,370 for two projects. One project was rated a priority one. The CPC
recommended $145K for the one priority project.
The Technology Dept. requested $71,300 for three items. One item, the Police Fingerprint system was
rated a priority. The CPC recommended $25,000 for the Fingerprint system.
The CPC is recommending moving smaller items to operating budgets of individual departments to allow
for trade offs.
Allot any available cash over Capital recommendation to a "reserve" fund to fund large expense items in
the future.
Total Capital Request for FY2018 is $2,349,111
CPC recommended $633,317 in request.
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3. Town Manager Report: Budget recommendations FY18: The Town manager is new to Lunenburg. She just
started in her new position on January 17th of this year.
The TM started the budget presentation with some disclaimers: There are a number of assumptions
that are include with this preliminary budget. Some of these numbers will firm up as we get closer to
Town Meeting. State assessments, Insurance renewals, State aid, free cash estimate, Monty Tech
assessment, budgets that have not been received to date and the snow and ice deficit.
The DPW Director reported as of today, the snow and ice deficit is at $86,647. This balanced budget
recommendation reflects a minimum of level service, but contains a certain above level service
expenditures and those reflect the Town's need increased public safety services. Free cash to be used
to fund capital items, with the balance of free cash to go to a special stabilization fund to fund large
expense capital items. The budget meets the Towns financial policy on keeping the minimum five
percent in the stabilization fund. This balanced budget proposal is based on use of reoccurring
revenues for operating cost. No free cash or stabilization funds are used for the operating budget.
FY2018 Revenue Estimates are:
Property Tax: $25,639,730. No new overrides or Exclusions. New Growth estimated at $300K.
State Aid: $8,877,879. There is significant increase State aid which includes $883K in Chapter 70
funds, a 13.9% increase. $39K in General Government Aid, a 3.8% increase.
Local Receipts: $2,913,168. Estimated 2.5% increase in Motor Vehicle Excise tax and $140K in Solar
revenues.
Available Funds $2,419,818. MSBA Reimbursement of$534,198. Free Cash estimated at $900K.
Expenditures: $36,891,930. Expenditures reflect the cost of providing services to the Town. There
were above level service request from Police, Fire, DPW, COA, Library, and Lunenburg Public Schools.
Not all request will be funded.
Expenditures include $633,317 to fund the capital budget, and the Debt Service at $4,796,858.
Unclassified Expenditures includes estimated 6% increase in Health Insurance. 10% increase in
Police/Fire Injured on Duty (IOD) and Workers Comp.
The complete budget recommendation is available at:
http://www.lunenburgma.gov/filestorage/77/1234/FY2018 Town Manager Preliminary Budget Presenta
tion.paf
4. Comments:
a. Public: Dave Rodgers: Suggested setting up a tax deductible 5013C Corp. to allow for individuals to make
contributions to that 501C corp. to help fund the operating budget.
b. DPW fuel tank removal: suggested allowing the DEP investigate the tanks for leaks. If no leaks are found,
would it be possible to fill the tanks with sand or cement? Would there be any savings.
c. Pavement Management Plan: Funded by $50K in operating budget.
d. Part of the increased cost of the new Police vehicles in the cost of outfitting the vehicles.
e. Bob Ebersol - Selectmen: Resident can make donations to any town dept. and take a tax
deduction.
5. Next meeting: February 16, 2017
6. Adjournment: Mark made a motion to adjourn. John seconded the motion. The committee approved the
motion 6-0 at 8:05 pm
Submitted by Jay Simeone
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