Fitchburg EMS Commission approves Gazsby assignment, postretirement payout and routine checks; appoints municipal check signer

The Fitchburg EMS District Commission approved several routine financial actions at its June 18 meeting.

The commission voted to approve Resolution 20263, which assigns certain audit-driven accounting positions (inventory and prepaid expenses held steady) and noted amounts in the sick leave liability and legal/contract fee accounts. Staff referenced a sick-leave-liability figure shown in materials as $480,320.53 and a legal/contract- negotiation account of about $21,000.

The commission also approved Resolution 20264 to use up to $88,328 of the district27s unassigned fund balance to pay postretirement healthcare payouts for two departing employees whose collective bargaining agreements require sick-time payout into a postretirement healthcare fund. Staff described the figure as "up to" the amount because final payouts will depend on the employees' remaining scheduled shifts.

Members approved accounts payable checks and minutes from the May 21 and June 3 meetings by voice vote. Commissioners also updated the district27s check-signing authority: following discussion of the cash-control policy (checks over $5,000 require a second signature except for preapproved monthly vendors), the commission nominated and approved Alder Leper as a municipal signatory and asked staff to update bank records; the new signer will complete the bank27s in-person identity verification process.

The commission noted a recently signed $12,000 equipment charge (a techni mount for an ambulance) but took no further action. There were no opposing votes recorded on the financial items presented.