===OCR macOS Vision===
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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 02-23-17
Town Hall
Terri Burchfield, Mark Erickson, Jay Simeone, John Henshaw, Hannah Anderson, Cindy Testa
Jack Rodriquenz - Department of Public Works (DPW) Director, Amanda Moore - DPW
Administrative Assistant, Lunenburg Public Library
1. Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. This is a televised meeting that will be available on
Lunenburg Public Access at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByD0vOJ1F3Q
2. Comments:
a. Public: None
b. New Communications: None
3. Department Budget Presentations:
Department of Public Works FY18 budget presentation: Jack greeted the committee and introduce
himself to the new members and introduce Amanda Moore - Administrative Assistant.
Jack asked the DPW budget be level funded. The only increases he is asking for would be for
contractual obligations like wages and uniforms, and additional funding to cover increased utility
costs. The Town Manger increased certain budget line items 4%. The committee reviewed the DPW
budget stating with General Highway Maintenance. $50K from the Motor Vehicle Excise tax is being
add to the DPW budget for the Pavement Management Plan (PMP) line item. There was also $120K
voted in at last years town meeting for the PMP. The Chapter 90 funds have remained steady and is
estimated at $419K for FY17. Chapter 90 funds plus the PMP line go for paving the main roads after
the debt exclusion is paid off.
There was an above level service request for Mechanics Assistant @ $35K. Presently an open
position. This is not being funded for FY18.
Snow removal to date. The DW contracts about 20 Subcontractors for snowplowing. At present, the
snow deficit is estimated at $86K. Additional vehicle maintenance cost expected which will increase
the deficit. The Snow budget is $275K. $135K of the $275K is spent on materials, salt, sand,
maintenance, fuel.
Buildings: The Chair asked if there were any changes in the budget as a result of solar credits. No
changes as a result of Solar, but the Town Manager did increase some of the utility budget lines four
percent.
The Chair asked how many vacant buildings are we currently maintaining? The Old Primary school and
the TC Passios school. The TC Passios is in need of repair. The School Dept Facilities Director has been
overseeing the TC Passios. The DPW does not have money budgeted for repairs to the TC Passios The
Building Reuse Committee is in the process disposing of the surplus properties. The Facilities staff is paid
out of the Facilities budget. There are budget increases for contractual obligations for salaries and
uniforms. The TM added a 3% increase for contracted services for building maintenance.
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Lunenburg Public Library FY18 budget presentation: Hired a new Digital Services person. Replaced
furniture in children's room. Completed 98% of interior LED lighting upgrade. Added additional security
cameras. Added new programs. Updated Library policies. 50% increase in use of Library programs.
Building maintenance: A new heating system was installed last year. The new building management
system is working consistentiy. Electric and Heat expenses were overestimated last year. The FY18
Budget reflects the changes in utility cost. The Network maintenance is decreasing. The CWMARS
network cost increased. With more programs, more supplies are needed. Increase in material cost. Based
on State required minimum funding. State aid certified at $14k.
4. Budget Goals and Opportunities
Financial Policy for managing debt: Sent out revisions. Revising policy for next week.
Anticipation of future large capital purchases
5. Review of minutes: Minutes of 11-28-16, 12-08-16, 1-12-17, 02-02-17
a. Minutes of 11-28-16 and 12-08-16 held for review.
b.
Minutes of 01-12-17. John made a motion to accept the minutes. Mark seconded. All in favor 6-0
c. Minutes of 02-02-17. John made a motion to accept the minutes, Mark seconded. All in favor 6-0
6. Town Financial Officers reports: None
7. Committee and Department Updates:
Committee/Department
Public Access Cable-Teri
Capital Planning-John H
Dept. of Public Works-John H
COA - Cindy.
Library -Terri
Police Dept - John H.
Fire Dept - George
Schools - Hannah
Monty Tech - Hannah
Green Comm Task Force-Jay
Sewer Commission-Jay
_School Bldg. Comm. - Mark
Building Reuse - Mark
8. Ongoing Business
Pavement Management Plan
Contract Commitments
Sale of Surplus properties
Update
9. Next meeting: March 2, 2017
March 9, 2017
10. Adjournment: Mark made a motion to adjourn. John seconded the motion. The committee approved the
motion 6-0 at 8:08 pm
Submitted by Jay Simeone