Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves $405,004.58 in FY26 year‑end transfers; considers amortizing snow‑and‑ice deficit
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to approve FY26 year‑end transfers totaling $405,004.58 to cover departmental shortfalls including water bills, police overtime and snow‑and‑ice; the town will consider amortizing part of the snow‑and‑ice deficit under recent DOR guidance.
The Cohasset Select Board on July 14 approved FY26 year‑end budget transfers totaling $405,004.58 to close shortfalls across multiple departments, the board’s town accountant said.
Beth Mosley, the town accountant, walked the board and Advisory Committee through the transfers, saying the requests cover underfunded town water bills, police overtime, buyer overtime, unemployment, Medicare tax and housekeeping adjustments. Mosley said storms produced a large snow‑and‑ice deficit and that the state will reimburse about $89,234, reducing the town’s responsibility. Mosley said the town manager and staff proposed transferring $180,002.12 now and left open whether to amortize the remainder or fund it at town meeting with free cash.
“[T]here really aren’t that many this year … and if there are any questions, please stop me and we can discuss,” Mosley said as she presented the list of transfers and the proposed funding sources.
Select board members pressed Mosley and the police and fire chiefs on drivers of overtime costs. The police chief said staffing gaps, a long‑term sergeant absence and recent contract changes after the FY27 budget was set had pushed overtime higher and that minimum‑manning rules require overtime when officers are absent. He estimated overtime exposure could be substantial if staffing and unexpected incidents persist.
After discussion, the Select Board voted 5–0 to approve the transfers as presented; the Advisory Committee subsequently recorded its roll call approval. Minutes show the motion was recorded as moved by Paul Grady and seconded by Will Ashen.
Mosley told the boards the town has the statutory option, under recent guidance from the Bureau of Accounts at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, to amortize an eligible snow‑and‑ice deficit over three years. She said the $180,002.12 transfer would reduce the FY26 year‑end deficit to near zero immediately; the board will later decide whether to adopt the three‑year amortization schedule or cover remaining amounts with free cash at a future meeting.
The board indicated it will review FY27 budgeting for recurring lines such as police overtime and consider options to build more operational buffers into department budgets. The Advisory Committee thanked staff for the presentation and the meeting moved on to other agenda items.
