Committee recommends $446,337 for building maintenance, seeks clarity on hours and benefits

The finance committee recommended $446,337 from taxation for public building maintenance after a staff presentation that called the budget largely level-funded with modest line-item adjustments.

Staff said small reductions in professional services and janitorial supplies were made to reflect FY25 actuals. On personnel, staff explained that some part-time roles had previously averaged about 20–25 hours; "the assistant carpenter was averaging like 20. It was budgeted for 25 hours," a staff member said, prompting questions about benefit eligibility if hours exceed 20.

Committee members pressed whether utilities lines in the municipal building-maintenance budget include school buildings; staff clarified they do not. "That does not include the schools," a staff member said. Municipal telephone and utility lines cover town facilities including police and fire under the town contract, while school utility costs are shown in the school budget.

The committee also discussed staff turnover and organization. Staff confirmed an assistant carpenter position is vacant after a retirement and that Ron is the department head; they said they will check whether the department-head position meets benefit eligibility thresholds and report back.

Next steps: the committee moved and recommended the $446,337 line; staff will return with written clarification about department-head hours and benefit eligibility and with confirmation about which specific buildings are covered by each utility line.