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Board of Selectmen review midyear finances, approve several contingency transfers
Summary
Staff presented year‑to‑date financials as of Dec. 31; the board approved several transfers from contingency and discussed the upcoming budget schedule and subcommittee assignments.
Town finance staff presented year-to-date financial results to the Board of Selectmen on Feb. 4 and the board approved several contingency transfers to cover retirements, storm costs and other items.
Josh (staff member) told the board that overall revenues are at about 61% at the halfway point of the fiscal year, with tax collections at about 60%. Building permits were reported at roughly 88.5% (about $750,000 of an $850,000 budget), and conveyance fees were running at about 80% ($1.2 million of $1.5 million). Parking revenues and permit fees were also reported as stronger than last year; interest on investments was around 59% (about $1.1 million of a $2 million budget). Overall expenditures were reported at approximately 43.75% of budget, similar to last year.
On the expenditure side, staff noted that some accounts show higher percentages because encumbrances (contracted amounts and quarterly payments) are included; insurance liability was called out as near 65% largely because of encumbrances.
The board reviewed a set of budget transfers and then voted to approve the items presented. The transfers presented and approved included:
- $11,000 from salary contingency to the Parks & Recreation administration overtime line to cover weekend/after-hours park ranger coverage. - $44,002.30 from salary contingency to the highway accrued benefits payout line to cover retirements. - $14,286.02 from contingency to the volunteer tax abatement line (higher-than-anticipated abatements this year). - $117,089.44 from the regular contingency line to cover storm-related expenses from an earlier storm. - $40,000 from the workers' compensation line into the heart-and-hypertension deductibles line.
A motion to approve the transfers was made and seconded; the board voted in favor (voice vote; “Aye,” no opposed) and the chair declared the transfers approved. The transcript did not record a roll-call tally of individual votes.
Staff and selectmen also walked through the budget schedule: department presentations, a Board of Education night scheduled for March 11, a public hearing on March 4, and a board vote on the budget on March 6. The board discussed timelines for capital presentations (Parks & Rec and DPW on Feb. 13), and noted the town council will review and may only reduce the budget amount (the board cannot force additions after council changes). Staff emphasized that the mill rate is set later to incorporate all late-breaking items.
Members also discussed subcommittee assignments and vacancies. The board accepted volunteers and assignments, with Victor offered for health and human services, Nick for public safety/emergency services, Steve for the RPAC seat, and Jen filling a general government opening. Staff noted subcommittees meet with town council counterparts and that meeting notices, agendas and minutes are required.
No additional formal votes were taken beyond the transfers.
