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Select board trims municipal‑building rentals pilot from $21,000 to $10,000 after debate over overtime math
Summary
Select board members questioned a $21,000 FY25 line item to pilot after‑hours municipal‑building rentals and voted to reduce the requested amount to $10,000 to start the program; staff said the pilot will test demand and staffing costs before budgeting FY26.
The Dennis Select Board voted on Sept. 10 to reduce Article 1’s requested $21,000 line for municipal‑building rentals (a pilot to offer after‑hours events in town buildings) to $10,000 after debate over how overtime and staffing costs were calculated.
Town Administrator Liz described the pilot as a way to study evening/weekend building rentals from roughly November to June, with costs covering custodial overtime and Council on Aging (COA) staffing; she said subcontractor rents and receipts would offset costs and any unused funds would revert to the general fund. "We're going to be studying this and see how it's working," Liz said.
Board member Jim (member) pressed the math. Citing the staff materials he had in hand, Jim asked how $21,000 for 12 events produced what he calculated as only $17.50 per event; Public Works (Mike Levin) and an administrator’s memo explained the $21,000 figure included overtime for multiple unions and possible use of two custodians plus COA staffing on nights and weekends. Mike described a staffing scenario that included two custodians (arrival and cleanup) and COA oversight, with average loaded hourly rates used to estimate event costs.
After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to change line D from $21,000 to $10,000 (reducing the total appropriation); the motion carried on a voice vote. Several board members said they favored a cautious pilot and that receipts and an FY26 budget submission would provide a clearer per‑event cost. The board directed staff to return with refined numbers for FY26 budgeting if the pilot proceeds.
No vendor or contract awards were finalized at the meeting; the vote only amended the special‑town‑meeting warrant appropriation.
