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Westborough Finance Committee approves end-of-year transfers to cover health, library, public-safety and electricity shortfalls
Summary
The Westborough Advisory Finance Committee on June 17 approved a series of intra- and interdepartmental transfers—including $5,000 for the Board of Health, $7,500 for the library, $45,000 from police salaries to fire expenses and $80,000 from Youth & Family salaries to electricity—to cover unanticipated costs; all motions passed by recorded tallies of 7-0-0 where recorded.
The Westborough Advisory Finance Committee voted June 17 to approve several end-of-year transfers to cover unanticipated public-health, building, public-safety and utility expenses.
The committee approved a $5,000 transfer from Board of Health wages to the Board of Health expense line to cover additional tuberculosis response costs. Member McMahon moved the transfer and Bradley seconded; the motion passed 7-0-0. Chief John Spinder described the need as “result of additional TB outbreaks,” explaining the funds will cover outbreak response work.
The committee also approved a $5,000 transfer within the finance department from salary and wages to expense to pay for contract accounting and transitional treasury services after vacancies in the town accounting office. McMahon moved the motion; Bradley seconded. Town staff said contracted services were used while key positions were vacant, and that the town expects to transition to the newly hired treasurer‑collector, Allison Lawrence.
Library officials requested and received a $7,500 transfer from library salary and wages to library expense to cover an unanticipated pump failure last November that cost about $7,450. Library Director Maureen Amiat and Assistant Director Lynn Soukup explained the expense; the motion carried 7-0-0.
On interdepartment transfers, the committee approved moving $45,000 from the police salary line to the fire department expense line. Fire Chief Pat Purcell told the committee the transfer covers three pressures: ambulance‑billing commission shortfalls, fleet maintenance for ageing apparatus and higher medical-supply costs tied to increased call volume. “We’re right now in the hole about 15,000 plus on that,” Purcell said, and noted an ordered engine (Engine 2) is expected to be delivered in the coming month.
The committee also approved an $80,000 transfer from Youth & Family Services salary and wages to electricity to cover a large electricity deficit discovered while reconciling virtual net‑metering credits and contractual payouts to solar owners. Staff described the deficit as a timing and accounting issue tied to the town’s virtual net‑metering contracts, and said they expect to seek an increase to the electricity budget in the FY25 budget cycle.
Votes recorded in the meeting transcript show the transfers passed overwhelmingly at the meeting; where tallies were counted on the record they were reported as 7‑0‑0 in favor. The committee indicated these transfers address immediate cashflow and accounting issues as the town moves into the new fiscal year.
The committee also approved routine minutes and set future meeting dates for July. The committee will present its ARPA recommendations and any related select‑board referrals as required.
