===OCR macOS Vision===
===PAGE 1===
Finance Committee:
Terri Burchfield, Chairman
Michelle Walton, Vice-Chairman
Peter Beardmore, Secretary
John Henshaw
Jay Simeone
David Passios
17 Main Street, P.O. Box 135
Lunenburg, MA 01462-0135
978.582.4139
FAX 978.582.4148
Lunenburg Finance Committee
MINUTES for
August 8. 2019 Meeting
4N/22
Location:
Present:
Absent:
Town Hall
Terri Burchfield, John Henshaw, Dave Passios, Jay Simeone, Peter
Beardmore
Michelle Walton
1. Call to Order
Terri Burchfield, Chair called the meeting to order at 7pm (all expected
members were in attendance). This meeting is being recorded for
broadcast on the Lunenburg Public Access channel.
2. Communications
Terri Burchfield circulated the most recent edition of The Beacon.
• Public Comment
David Passios reported that he attended a community event in Lunenburg,
Vermont and learned that they experience many of the challenges in local
government that we do in Lunenburg, MA.
3. Request for Joint Meeting/Presentations
RECEIVED & FILED
SEP 2 3 2019
LUNENBURG TOWN
CLERK OFFICE
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John Henshaw reported that he inquired as to the timing and extent of
new development projects from the land-use director. John's outline is
attached in Appendix A.
Peter Beardmore added that demographic shifts in town (particularly the
rise of population between the ages of 60-80 years of age), and their
likelihood to sell homes to younger families need to be considered as part
of the discussion.
• Peter Beardmore added that he would like the process to not only be
informational with respect to trends in demographics, tax base, and school
district needs, but ultimately land on some policy that make top-line
budgeting for the school district more predictable and formula-driven.
Terri Burchfield will continue to follow-up with the invited participants
with the aim of arriving at a date and time specific for the symposium.
4. Discussion of Goals
• We are still collecting ideas for goals, to be discussed at next meeting.
• Peter Beardmore requested that we prioritize definitions of "Level
Services" and related terms so as we can better advise department heads
and other budget holders.
• Terri Burchfield reported that on July 9 she emailed the Board of
Selectmen about reviving the "Service-Level Committee". She had not
received a response and will re-engage.
• Terri Burchfield and Dave Passios both highlighted the incongruity and
ripple-effects of adding staff in a so-called level services' budget.
John Henshaw suggested we look at comparable work from other towns
for budgeting definitions.
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Goal is to have the town manager brief the budget process plan and
methodology in September or October, ideally prior to the symposium.
6. Committee/Department updates/assignments
Peter Beardmore reported on the school Committee meeting on 31 July,
which was convened for the purpose of addressing the elementary school
busing / drop-off procedure, requiring that elementary-age students must
have a parent or older sibling meeting them at drop-off (5th grade is
waiver-able). Walkers policy was also changed, effectively ending
unaccompanied students walking home from school (except for grade 5).
Unclear as to if there will be any spending ramifications of these policy
changes. Also, there have been no enrollment spikes as of July 24th, Also, 9
students have been accepted into school-choice during the summer. Out-
going school-choice numbers have not been discussed. Also, there have
been findings of lead and copper during water testing this summer. There
will be communication to parents upcoming. Also, school starts on August
27h, Also, after a food-services audit, lunch costs have been set at $3
across the system. Also, there have been 2 new secretaries hired, there has
been one additional retirement announced, and two resignations. Peter
Beardmore has asked if there will be a budget update on the effects off
changes that occurred during the summer.
7 Minutes
• From 7/25/2019: Accepted (John Henshaw motioned/Jay Simeone
seconded; unanimous)
8. Town Manager/Financial Office Reports
• Terri Burchfield inquired of the Town Accountant for clarification on
Chapter 70 funding in the state budget and how that related to the town
budget.
• Town Accountant:
Final Cherry sheet vs. estimates incorporated in town budget:
Increase in Ch 70 funding of $32,622
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Increase assessment of School Choice Sending Tuition of $74,320
Decrease assessment of Charter School Sending Tuition of $6,189
Total Increase in Assessments of $68,131
Overall, we are net-negative vs. budget of $7,815
• MSBA audit is near complete for school project, final payment is
expected in October or November, for issuance of final bonds in
January.
Discussion ensued about what could potentially drive the need for a
special town meeting. We are waiting on growth certification and
resolution on excess funds on the fuel tanks project before determining the
need or timing for a special town meeting.
David Passios expressed concern about communications relating to Cherry
Sheet increases without context, which was reported in local newspaper:
9. Public Comment
• Dave Passios commented in support of the new school district busing
policy, indicating a past incident he experienced as a parent.
10. Next Meeting
• August 22, 2019 (we may begin discussions on goals and level services)
• September 12, 2019
1L.
Adjournment
• Jay Simeone motioned/ John Henshaw seconded; unanimous approval
===PAGE 5===
1. School Enrollment from School Dept Presentation
10
1,676
Change
Cumul:
Cum. 15-19
1,627
(49)
(49)
-
12
1,617
(10)
(59)
13
1,564
(53)
(112)
-
14
1,553
(11)
(123)
-
15
1,545
(8)
(131)
-
16
1.563
18
(113)
18
17
1,587
24.
(89)
42
18
1,612
(64)
67
19
1,622
10
(54)
77
Enrollment increased 5% in five years from 2015-2019
2. Residential Construction, ten years from 2010-2019: Adam Birney
2010: Emerald Place 238 units, Tri-town Landing 130 units. Minor effect if any on
school enrollment.
Single Family homes/condos:
2014: 14/0 2015: 20/3 2016: 28/2 2017: 13/? 2018: P/120 (Whalom Luxury
Apts.)
3. Prospective Construction:
Howard Street: Total 120 units, 24 units (20%) 55+, 25 units per year spanning 5
years. 3-4 bedroom homes. Because no sewer system, required distance from well &
sewer may reduce the number of units.
Hollis Hills: 146 units, per 2016 building permit, which may expire (3-year permit
limit).
4. School Chap 70 & Monty Tech 2015 - 2020:
15
16
17
Chapter 70
5,605,872
5,834,483
6,351,257
Monty Tech
710,814
799,478
890,058
Assess.
Source: http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/chapter70/
FlnComm>Prep-Notes-190808-Meeting
18
7,272,505
824,011
19
7,538,072
618,008
T 20
7,771,740
783,987