In the run-up to the spring town meeting, Mattapoisett’s Finance Committee has begun the intensive work of studying all aspects of the town’s revenues and expenses. Members Paul Amoruso, Brian Connelly, Kathleen Costello, Aaron Goldberg, Gary Johnson, Karen Keenan, and Colby Rottler met with town administrator Mike Lorenco on January 9 to jump-start what will be meetings taking place every two weeks until a Fiscal 2026 budget is ready for the Select Board.
Lorenco provided the members with information regarding the Plymouth County retirement necessary contributions and a host of other data points for their consideration moving forward.
In a prequel to the meeting Lorenco shared with us the following commentary that was presented at the meeting, “…the Plymouth county retirement contribution page which displays the amount the Town must contribute for FY26 & FY27 ($2,140,125 and $2,297,048 respectively). The FY26 required contribution is up 9.88% from the prior year.
The budget template which will be briefly discussed has no solidified numbers in it, just estimates. I would provide it to you, but I think it’s best to wait for a week or two until some department figures come in and are placed in the template. I would just share that the Town’s current Levy Limit for FY26 is $28,850,497. There will be challenges like every budget year but the Town hopes to continue to not use the entire prop 2 1/2 allowance if we don’t have too. This year will be more of a challenge than in years prior with accelerating costs.”
The members were told that union contracts would need to be negotiated and that budget numbers from the schools were pending. The committee members asked to hear directly from the schools this cycle. Lorenco responded that they had been advised that Fincom will wish to speak with their representatives.
Regarding revenue, Rottler wondered aloud if the town should consider a short-term rental tax thinking that could be a new and additional source of income. Lorenco told the committee members that the state was late in certifying free cash numbers.
In talking about Police Department funding, Lorenco noted that a new contract might show an increase of 5 to 8-percent over FY24, “…we are low compared to some other towns, “ he said regarding pay scale and that it might proof difficult for retaining officers in a competitive employment environment, “…they can go someplace else for more money.”
Health insurance costs, “Are the biggest they’ve been in four years,” Lorenco stated. Also increasing will be special education costs, the need to continue to put dollars aside for OPEB expenses and the continued subsidization of the Transfer Station now at $65,000.
On the bright side, Lorenco said that “rainy day funds,” aka stabilization funds, stand at $4.5-million.
The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (federal funding) to assist cities and towns with major infrastructure and other needs such as computers and advanced technology equipment is now exhausted. Lorenco said most town departments benefited from the fund which the federal government monitored in ensure funds were spent in approved ways. In the list of disbursements’ of ARPA funds were digital radios updated computer technology for the conference room, water department projects and Oakland Street infrastructure.
Mattapoisett Finance Committee
By Marilou Newell