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Harwich Finance Committee approves $982,200 in year‑end transfers, cites $600,000 snow and ice costs
Summary
The Finance Committee approved a year‑end appropriation transfer of $982,200 to close out FY26 deficits, with staff saying roughly $600,000 of the total responds to snow and ice expenses and other closeout adjustments; the vote passed 6–0.
At its July 9 meeting, the Harwich Finance Committee voted to approve a year‑end transfer sheet totaling $982,200 to cover FY26 deficits and closeout adjustments.
Town Administrator Jay McCrail and Finance Director Jennifer Mintz explained to the committee that the largest component of the transfer — roughly $600,000 — was needed to cover unusually high snow and ice removal costs. McCrail said the administration’s original plan was to make a single large appropriation in June and then run a small cleanup transfer in July, but the closeout needs were larger than expected.
Jennifer Mintz described the transfers as necessary to complete FY26 closeout: "we had the money ... we were able to transfer and make it work," she said, adding that the administration was not pleased to require large transfers and would address process changes during the FY28 budget build. Members and staff discussed areas that contributed to the shortfall and acknowledged variations in departmental budgeting practices.
A motion to approve the year‑end transfers totaling $982,200 was made, seconded and approved on a voice vote; the meeting record notes the tally as 6–0 in favor.
Committee members and staff emphasized this action was a one‑time clean‑up for the fiscal year just ended and that FY28 will be the first full budget cycle for the current administration to implement structural changes to avoid similar year‑end transfers. Staff said they will meet individually with departments that reported deficits and will incorporate lessons from the closeout into next year’s budget process.
The committee took no further formal action on individual departmental budgets at this meeting.
