# finance-committee — 3 documents, concatenated for reading and search # # This is a CONVENIENCE BUNDLE, not a source. Every document below is # published separately and byte-identically; cite the individual file, # whose path is given in each header, rather than this bundle. # Index of all boards: https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/minutes/INDEX.txt # The town's own scanned original is linked per document. ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2022-10-27-minutes-2067.txt BOARD : finance-committee DATE : 2022-10-27 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/finance-committee/2022-10-27-minutes-2067.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10272022-2067 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== Lunenburg Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 27, 2022 Location: In-person at Lunenburg Town Hall and broadcast on Zoom Present: Chairperson Evan Watters, Jay Simeone, Tom Gray, Tom Balish Guests: Town Manager Heather Lemieux (remote), Town Accountant Karen Brochu (remote), Superintendent of Lunenburg Public Schools Dr. Kate Burnham, LPS Business Manager Michael Cassidy, School Committee Chairperson Carol Archambault, School Committee member Peter Beardmore, DPW Director Bill Bernard, Capital Plan Committee member Dave Passios 1. Call to Order: Mr. Watters called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and read a statement concerning the Open Meeting Law, and how all public meetings are legally being held remotely. This meeting was recorded and is viewable on YouTube at https://youtu.be/mlz6ac_xOY8 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Announcements: 4. Public Comment: 5. Chair Report: Mr. Watters reminded all in attendance that Special Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lunenburg Middle/High School. 6. Town Manager/Finance Director Report: Ms. Brochu informed the board that free cash and retained earnings have been certified by the Department of Revenue. a. General free cash: $2,838,550 b. Water enterprise retained earnings: $57,539 c. Rubbish enterprise account: $134,318 d. Sewer retained earnings: $2,322,978 Ms. Brochu also reported her team is in the process of getting all the information necessary to certify the tax rate. Ms. Lemieux reported no figures have changed since her last briefing on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Budget adjustments include: • Employee engagement survey: $10,000 • Assessor’s administration: $45,000 • APDC budget expense line: $5,000 • DPW backfill for medical leave: $13,000 • Total budget adjustment: $73,000 ===PAGE 2=== Ms. Lemieux reported she is waiting on New Growth numbers, and anticipates a surplus which could be used for Marshall Park, or the Special Purpose Stabilization account. 7. Conversation with DPW Director Bill Bernard: Mr. Bernard informed the committee that the biggest issue the DPW currently faces is their fleet of trucks. There are four trucks used for snow removal currently out of service, and the department is still waiting on trucks ordered in FY22, and FY23, and doesn’t expect to see them for at least a year. Mr. Bernard will continue to seek funding from the capital plan to complete the fleet at about $525,000 per year to fund those trucks and other equipment. Mr. Bernard will continue on with the pavement management plan, which is currently being updated. The town’s roads appear to be in good shape, and the new plan should focus on crack sealing. As far as sidewalks are concerned, Mr. Bernard reported that the town currently has ten miles of sidewalk, and he is working on a five-year plan to address sidewalk repairs to bring those up to date. Mr. Bernard estimates sidewalk repair will cost $400,000. Mr. Bernard also reported that the town’s sewer pump stations are nearing the end of their lives at 25 years. He estimates $300,000 to replace the stations and incorporate SCADA to monitor the new stations. Mr. Bernard also reported the DPW is keeping up with storm water regulations despite not having a full crew. The storm water task force is looking to form a storm water utility in order to address mandates. The DPW will be expanding the North Cemetery, which will need to be surveyed and plotted. Mr. Bernard also reported he’s received several calls from residents regarding tree trimming and removal. DPW ten-year planning includes addressing the 25 bridges and culverts in town regarding inspection and repairs. Mr. Bernard will seek grant funding for repairs. Drainage pipes will also need replacing. Mr. Balish asked about staffing at the DPW. Mr. Bernard said the heavy equipment operator position has been open since before he started working for the town. Several applicants either don’t have the licensure required, or are seeking a higher wage than what the town currently offers. 8. Conversation with School Department: a. FY23 Capital Projects Update: Dr. Burnham reported that the cost of the AC project at the primary school for which $230,000 was appropriated was largely underestimated. The school department is looking at alternative ways to cool the school in the warmer months. b. FY24 Capital Projects Requests: ===PAGE 3=== 1. Safety Window Film Districtwide $160,000 2. Exterior Door Replacement at Turkey Hill Elementary School (THES) $160,000 3. Access and Security upgrades at the primary school and THES $83,500, $131,000 4. Upgrade Fire Alarm system at THES $287,000 5. Athletic Complex feasibility study $50,000 6. New pickup truck $68,000 c. 10-Year Capital Projects Plan: Over the next ten years, the primary school seeks $618,500 in capital spending. Turkey Hill Elementary School needs include $15,056,822 in capital requests, which assumes contributions from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and possibly $2,200,000 for the MS/HS to upgrade the turf field, walls, and concession stand. Over the next ten years district-wide, the schools plan to spend $343,923 on safety film for windows, as well as a replacement mower, 2 pickup trucks, plows, and a passenger van. d. 5-Year Staffing Plan: Dr. Burnham reported that the school department needs are constantly changing depending on the student body. Not all needs can be addressed due to lack of funding, but the school department prioritizes, and presents the staffing plan knowing there is some grant funding available to certain departments within the schools. e. ESSER Funded Positions: The school department is tracking data to see which positions will need to be eliminated as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding runs out in 2024. Dr. Burnham assured the committee that the school department is well aware that municipal funding is not available to cover the positions made possible by ESSER funding. f. ARPA Funding: Dr. Burnham reported the school department requested funding for sidewalks leading toward the elementary and middle/high schools. g. Strategy for Continuous Improvement: Implemented in 2019, a living document that focuses on teaching and learning, climate and culture, equity, access, and achievement, and communications and operations. h. Budget Presentation Workshop: The school department presents their budget at the second January meeting of the School Committee. There is then a question and answer period on the budget at the first School Committee meeting in February. Dr. Burnham reported that oftentimes health insurance information becomes available in February, which tends to impact the budget plan, and another question and answer period is offered at the first March meeting of the School Committee. A public hearing on the final budget is slated for the second March meeting of the School Committee, where the School Committee usually approves the budget, which is then presented to the Finance Committee. Dr. Burnham plans to produce a recorded presentation of informational material for people to view on their own time. Mr. Beardmore added that he has discussed the Finance Committee’s preferences when it comes to the school department’s budget presentation, and that though focusing on the numbers is a good goal, there are challenges up ahead that will demand more qualitative discussion over quantitative. ===PAGE 4=== 9. Minutes: To be reviewed at next meeting. 10. Committee Reports: Committee members updated each other on their liaison assignments. 11. Public Comment: Mr. Simeone reminded those in attendance that real estate taxes are due November 1. Mr. Beardmore informed the committee that the Select Board voted to not recommend approval of the Finance Committee’s warrant article regarding the town’s capital plan. Mr. Beardmore, who wrote the bylaw, is planning to give a five to ten minute presentation explaining the ideas behind the proposed bylaw at Special Town Meeting. Mr. Watters announced that there are two vacancies on the Finance Committee. 12. Items for Future Meetings: No particular topics at this time 13. Next Meetings: November 10, 2022 14. Adjourn: At 8:55 p.m., Mr. Simeone motioned to adjourn, Mr. Gray seconded. On vote, motion carried unanimously. ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2022-11-10-agenda-2068.txt BOARD : finance-committee DATE : 2022-11-10 KIND : agenda OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/finance-committee/2022-11-10-agenda-2068.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11102022-2068 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== Town of Lunenburg Finance Committee: Evan Watters, Chair Christopher Menard, Vice-Chair Thomas Balish, Clerk Jay Simeone Thomas Gray **Vacancy** **Vacancy** Lunenburg Finance Committee Thursday, November 10th, 2022 7 PM Bilotta Meeting Room, Lunenburg Town Hall Agenda 17 Main Street, P.O. Box 135 Lunenburg, MA 01462-0135 978.582.4139 FAX 978.582.4148 In accordance with the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast over the Lunenburg Public Access channel and on Facebook Live on the Public Access Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lunenburg-Public-Access- Cable-157427270975305). The following information is provided for members of the public that would like to participate in the meeting remotely: To Participate Remotely: From a computer, please use the link below to join the public meeting webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7663167607 or from a telephone, dial the toll free number (888) 475-4499 and enter Webinar ID: 792 737 0353. If you have not registered with Zoom you will be asked for your name and an e-mail address. Note: No participant ID is needed, just press # when asked. Telephone users may dial *9 to request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the “raise hand” feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by Open Meeting Law. 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Announcements 4. Public comment 5. Chair’s Report 6. Town Manager / Finance Director Report 7. FY23 Budget Adjustments 8. Projected Revenues/Expenditures FY2023 9. Special Town Meeting a. Consent Calendar Articles (2, 6, 7, & 9) b. STM Article revisit 10. Office 360 Migration 11. Minutes a. 9/20/22, 9/29/22, & 10/13/22 12. Committee Reports a. Library – Tom B b. Police & Fire – Tom B c. Green Communities – Tom G d. Land Use – Tom G e. Municipal Building Design – Tom G f. Parks – Chris M g. DPW – Jay S h. Sewer – Jay S i. Board of Health – Evan W j. Capital Planning – Evan W k. Council on Aging – Evan W l. School – Ms. Archambault/Evan W 13. Future Meetings 14. Public Comment 15. Upcoming meetings: November 24th (Thanksgiving), December 8th, December 22nd (Christmas Week), MMA Trade Show 1/20/23-1/21/23 16. Adjourn ======================================================================================== DOCUMENT : 2022-11-10-minutes-2068.txt BOARD : finance-committee DATE : 2022-11-10 KIND : minutes OUR COPY : https://lunenburgbudgetproject.org/docs/minutes/text/finance-committee/2022-11-10-minutes-2068.txt TOWN PDF : https://www.lunenburgma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11102022-2068 ======================================================================================== ===PAGE 1=== Lunenburg Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 10, 2022 Location: In-person at Lunenburg Town Hall and broadcast on Zoom Present: Chairperson Evan Watters, Chris Menard, Jay Simeone, Tom Gray, Tom Balish (remote) Guests: Town Manager Heather Lemieux 1. Call to Order Mr. Watters called the meeting to order at 7p.m. and read a statement concerning the Open Meeting Law, and how all public meetings are legally being held remotely. This meeting was recorded and is viewable on YouTube at https://youtu.be/qwq3dSK768w 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Announcements: none 4. Public Comment: none 5. Chair Report: none 6. Town Manager/Finance Director Report: Ms. Lemieux reported the town has received two bids for real property data collection at $45,000, which will be voted on under the budget adjustment article. A $17,700 bid was awarded for Marshall Park survey work, $25,000 was appropriated in FY23 Capital Plan, so left over funds will be made available for other projects in that plan. One proposal has been submitted by T Mobile, who currently leases the spot, for the RFP for Town Hall. Solid waste cleanup at the Woodruff property received no responses. Town is reviewing scope of work on that project. Facilities is working on a variety of capital projects, bidding process to start in January. Talks are underway with McCarty Engineering on the senior center ADA Patio project. Soil at Eagle House has tested clean. Town is waiting on updated cost of project. New growth certified: $234,383 $20,860 more than estimated at Annual Town Meeting. The library has been awarded an LSTA Grant which will fund STEM programming. Library now open of Fridays. The town has received $28,706 for opioid settlement funds, more funding anticipated. There are no restrictions on usage of funds. Free cash was certified. Dollar amount circulated to the finance committee ===PAGE 2=== 30 street lights are considered “phantom” lights. 19 of those lights will be added to the town’s inventory. Green Communities Committee will work on an RFP with a consultant to maintain the streetlights moving forward. Economic Development bill has passed, and $100,000 was earmarked to go toward the 30 School Street abatement project. 7. FY23 Budget Adjustments The Town Manager is seeking to change four line items in the FY23 operating budget totaling $73,000. Town Manager Expenses: Employee Engagement Survey (services cost) $10,000 Assessor’s Administration: Unanticipated data collection $45,000 Planning Board (APDC): APDC administrative expenses $5,000 Facilities and Grounds: Backfill a position due to personnel being out on medical leave $13,000 8. Projected revenues/expenditures The committee reviewed the projected revenues/expenditures sheet for FY2023 which reflect proposed budget adjustments. Revenues were highlighted as follows: New Growth: $234,383 State Aid: 10,500,128 Projected receipts: 3,110,153 9. Special Town Meeting a. Consent Calendar: Articles 2,6,7,9 are considered noncontroversial. Article 2: Payment of prior year invoices Article 6: Sewer reserve capacity stabilization fund Article 7: Sewer Inflow/Infiltration stabilization fund Article 9: Amendment of Salary Administration Plan –adding positions to the grid, no financial impact. Both Select Board and Finance Committee have already recommended approval of all four articles. b. STM Article revisit: Mr. Watters reminded those in attendance that Articles 4 and 5 are related, and that if Article 4 is passed, then Article 5 can be passed over, and if Article 4 is defeated, then Article 5 will suggest putting the funds from Article 4 into a special stabilization fund. 10. Office 365 Migration: All town board and committee member email address have been migrated to Outlook. Committee members discussed the ways they can take advantage of the features Outlook has to offer. 11. Minutes Mr. Menard motioned to approve the minutes from the September 20, 2022, and September 29, 2022 meetings. Mr. Simeone seconded. On vote, motion carried unanimously. ===PAGE 3=== 12. Committee Reports Committee members reported each other on their respective assignments. 13. Public Comment none 14. Items for Future Meetings Budget review 15. Next Meetings no meetings until January 16. Adjourn At 7:48 p.m. Mr. Menard motioned to adjourn, Mr. Simeone seconded. On vote, motion carried unanimously.