It is without a doubt the budget-planning season. Engaging in the process of drafting a multimillion dollar municipal budget is no small task and requires both insight and foresight. Jumping into the deep end of the fiscal pool on February 3, Mattapoisett’s Finance Committee met with Library Director Jennifer Jones and Council on Aging Director Jackie Coucci.
Jones discussed the need to fill a part-time position for a children’s librarian/assistant director and planned to begin interviews next week. Jones’ spreadsheet lists wages for full-time library paralegals in FY22 at $141,538 and for FY23 at $145,000. Part-time staff will have received $195,769 in FY22 and are projected to receive $201,000 in FY23. The director’s salary for FY22 was $72,000 and is projected at $74,909 for FY23.
In her narrative, Jones said that during FY22, the demand for library services has remained high, including presentation and talks offered both live and virtually, reaching some 1,300 participants. She also noted that boiler and fire-suppression, system-maintenance agreements have risen by $500 from $12,500 to $13,000. Jones also stated that the historic parts of the library roof covered with 100-year-old slates need evaluation.
Coucci spoke to the continuing demand for services offered by the COA. She said that in spite of being down an outreach worker, the center is assisting more than 300 people, including in-home visits, “and the myriad of issues people are facing is growing,” she added.
Coucci reported that a grant in 2020 allowed the department to purchase a new van that is wheelchair accessible and that a matching-grant requirement of 20 percent has been waived. “We got the van scot-free,” she said.
When asked by Chairman Pat Donoghue if COA vehicles went through Capital Planning, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco explained that because COA vehicles do not hit the tax levy (usually recycled vehicles from other departments,) they don’t show up as a capital expense.
Coucci’s spreadsheet listed her salary for FY23 at $63,869, up $1,275 from $62,594 in FY22. Full-time staffing wages for FY22 were $43,136 versus a plan for $44,000 in FY23; part-time FY22 will be $49,945 and FY23 is planned at $50,935; drivers will come in for FY22 at $19,140 with a modest uptick to $19,523 for FY23.
Vehicle maintenance is estimated to remain the same year over year at $4,000.
Meeting on February 6 were both the Capital Planning Committee with Police Chief Jason King and the Select Board with the directors of the Library and the Council on Aging.
In a follow up with Capital Planning Committee Chairman Chuck McCullough, he said that the committee was impressed by the presentation from King, calling it “refreshing” in both the quality and quantity of data provided.
King’s Capital Planning requests for FY23 presently include two cruisers, both listed at $55,000 with one financed via free cash and the other from the department’s operating budget. Other line items for FY23 include $110,000 for parking lot repaving, $25,000 for new office equipment, $50,000 for a new radio system, $40,000 for new tasers and $25,000 for a new police motorcycle.
Regarding the motorcycle, McCullough reported that King noted the age and diminishing life span of the current motorcycle that he plans to trade in for a potential $6,000 that would be put toward funding for the new piece.
In their working session with Coucci and Jones, the Select Board reviewed their FY23 budget projections and touched on capital needs.
As they had during the meeting with the Finance Committee, both directors pointed to a level-funded FY23 budget with modest upticks in wages as negotiated through contracts.
Coucci said that with the temporary hiatus of the FISH medical ride program, the COA has been filling the gap. Also filling the gap, Coucci herself has been in the field providing in-home services due to a vacant outreach-worker position. When asked by Mattapoisett Select Board Chairman Jordan Collyer if the board could grant her two wishes for her department, Coucci responded, “Nothing, I’m good. I don’t need any additional funding at this time.”
Jones responded to the same question with more books and more office supplies on her wish list. She also discussed the need for better outdoor light, more security cameras and the filling of an open position for a children’s librarian/assistant director. On that point, she said she is actively interviewing candidates.
Regarding the need to study the historic roof tiles, Collyer asked Lorenco to find reports that were previously produced speaking to the issue. “Those tiles may be 100 years old but may not need replacement. He gave Jones several company names from which to seek out guidance in the matter.
The board also met with Henri Renauld, Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department.
Renauld discussed major renovation projects, including one at the Oakland Street pump station. He described the deterioration of five manholes and the need for immediate action. The cost estimate has been set at $680,000 in FY23.
Regarding the department’s plans for a new headquarters building situated adjacent to the Bay Club off Industrial Drive, Renauld said that while the sale of property owned by the town on Church Street would be moving forward, conceptual and schematic designs were yet to be drawn. “I’m not quite ready yet,” he said. The board and Renauld also discussed the sale of lots in the Bay Club that are presently owned by the town, lots that could be sold to offset new building costs for the Water and Sewer Department. Debut of this capital expense is planned for FY24.
The Water Department’s FY23 budget is estimated at $1,600,000 and the Sewer Department at $1,900,000.
Highway Surveyor Garret Bauer also met with the Select Board, and Select Board member Jodi Bauer, mother of the younger Bauer, asked Collyer if she should recuse herself. While it was agreed that no conflict of interest would manifest itself during this meeting, the senior Bauer elected to err on the side of caution and listened without participating.
In a follow-up with Collyer, it was learned that discussion about the much-delayed repairs and renovations to the town’s Highway Barn located on Mendell Road took place. Collyer and Jodi Bauer concurred that earlier cost estimates for phased repairs were no longer feasible and that the plan now was to complete everything needed in one complete project.
On the Highway Department’s Capital Plan spreadsheet, Garret Bauer listed $230,000 for building design and engineering work, $250,000 (an annual sum allocated for roadway repairs,) and a hook/lift truck at $160,000 for a total of $640,000 for FY23.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for Thursday, February 10, at 4:30 pm.; the next meeting of the Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 14, at 6:00 pm. and the next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee, Select Board
By Marilou Newell