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Town of Lunenburg 
Finance Committee: 
Terri Burchfield, Chairman 
Michelle Walton, Vice-Chairman 
Peter Beardmore, Secretary 
John Henshaw 
Jay Simeone 
David Passios 
             
 
Lunenburg Finance Committee 
April 9, 2020 Meeting  
 
 
 
17 Main Street, P.O. Box 135 
Lunenburg, MA 01462-0135 
978.582.4139 
FAX 978.582.4148 
  
Location: Zoom Virtual Meeting 
Present: Terri Burchfield, Dave Passios, Michelle Walton, Peter Beardmore, John 
Henshaw  
Absent: Jay Simeone 
 
1. Call to Order 
 
o Terri Burchfield, Chair called the meeting to order at 7 PM. And read the 
COVID-19 / Zoom meeting advisory statement. 
This meeting was recorded and is viewable on YouTube:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkcqswbV2Jo 
 
2. Public Comment 
 
o Peter Beardmore recommended a finance committee discussion regarding 
the upcoming Selectmen’s vote on delaying the property tax deadline. 
 
3. Review of Updated Town Manager Budget 
 
o The Town Manager reviewed recommended adjustments to the town 
budget, outlined in the linked dashboard worksheet.  
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ah6AdYK_60697nND4kXS9RNnd3q0?e=LwdxcH 
o Included were a reduction in new growth from $193,400 to $130, 000 
reflecting new guidance from the regional assessor.  
o State aide was reduced to level-funded. There is no information from the 
state (211,836 reduction). 
o Local receipts were reduced to level-funded, ($68,454.26 reduction). 
o Town manager is recommending eleminition of expenses including new 
positions and adjusting $55,000 in allowance for abatements. 

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o These total changes reflect a deficit of approximately $30,000, which still 
does not include reductions to school budget or capital plan. 
o A meeting of the capital planning committee is forthcoming.  
 
4. Review of Draft Warrant for Annual Town Meeting 
o The town manager reviewed the draft warrant for the annual town 
meeting: 
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ah6AdYK_60697nQcaUCy6sPjsU_x?e=91FJFY 
 
5. Town Manager / Finance Director Report 
o The Town Finance Director reported that she has conducted a cash flow 
analysis with the Treasure’s office and believes that the extension of the 
real estate tax deadline will not adversely effect the town’s finances.  
o Peter Beardmore expressed reservations with respect to extending the 
deadline because financial impacts are uncalculated and the benefits of the 
extension cannot realized equitably by all residents. 
 
6. Public Comment 
o Resident Carl Luck requested additional information with respect to 
discount rates associated with OPEB, and whether the town has achieved a 
level of contribution that we are benefiting from those discounts. 
 
7. Committee Reports 
o Peter Beardmore reported that the School Committee has met twice since 
the last FinCom meeting and that the School Finance Director announced 
that the school department is entering into discussions with Dee Bus to 
negotiate a financial agreement associated with services not delivered 
during the school closure. 
o Dave Passios reported that he has had some contact with Rep Haye and 
Sen Tran, but there hasn’t been progress in scheduling a meeting, either 
directly with the finance committee or in conjunction with the Board of 
Selectmen. He will follow-up with the Town Manager. 
 
8. Adjournment 
o Dave Passios motion, Peter Beardmore 2nd, Unanimously approved, 8:40 
PM