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Director: center will end year under budget; $90,000 in formula-style grants available for programming
Summary
At its monthly meeting, the Cohasset Health Affairs board reviewed fiscal-year-to-date financials, discussed a roughly $90,000 formula/grant balance and options for using it, and set a July 9 deadline to submit a 10-year capital plan for prioritizing repairs and program investments.
The Cohasset Health Affairs director told the board that the center is 11 months into the fiscal year and has spent about 73% of its total budget so far, leaving the program headed to finish under budget.
The director said payroll changes this year and timing of reclassifications account for much of the underspending and that June’s preliminary numbers will be adjusted by accounting and finalized with the board’s September meeting. She reported combined grant balances in the center’s accounts and identified the formula-revolving fund as having the largest pot of available money.
Board members discussed the historical practice of using the state formula grant to cover front-desk payroll for a limited startup period, then converting the position to town payroll. The director said the legislature defines permissible uses of the formula grant and that recent guidance has broadened allowable expenses if they ‘‘improve or benefit seniors’’; members asked staff to confirm current written program rules from the state.
The board noted roughly $90,000 in grant and gift balances across accounts and agreed that the summer should be used to develop options for strategic use of the funds, such as a part-time staffing pilot, short-term programming, or capital improvements tied to senior services. The director emphasized that a clear plan — including costs and intended outcomes — will be necessary to justify using restricted funds and to avoid simple year-end spending.
The board also discussed capital items removed from next year’s budget (a walk-in cooler and siding) and the need to submit a 10-year capital plan. Michelle requested that the board provide proposed capital priorities by July 9 so the center can include them in municipal planning and seek funding or grant matches.
