Make no mistake about it, Mattapoisett is deep into the FY24 budget process. The importance of evaluating municipal departmental budget requests, capital needs, staffing plans, expenditures and revenue cannot be overstated – it is a massive undertaking.
On February 15, the Select Board, along with Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, met for a working session to take an overview of the FY24 budget. The board met with Library Director Jennifer Jones, Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer, Council on Aging Director Jackie Seney, and Board of Health Agent Gail Joseph.
Jones explained the need to repair carpeting in the Children’s Library space, noting it was more than 20 years old. The estimated replacement cost is $45,000. She went on to discuss the importance of evaluating and possibly replacing historic roof tiles on a portion of the building. The current estimate is $85,000.
Jones was asked by Board member Jordan Collyer to try and locate notes from the 2008 reconstruction and renovation of the library. He said he seemed to remember that the historic roof area had been evaluated at that time and any documentation from that time may prove helpful for current repair proposals.
Regarding the library’s FY24 budget projection, all-inclusive stands at $584,482.
Bauer shared that although he is currently looking for one part-time employee and as many as four during the summer season, he has been concentrating on what they can accomplish in house. Two large construction projects, the Pearl Street reconstruction estimated at $620,000 and the Oakland Street reconstruction at $817,000, are on the horizon. He spoke to the need for a new backhoe/loader vehicle estimated at $170,000, along with annual roadway improvements at $250,000. Bauer said that staffing has been a problem and that posted part-time positions have gone unanswered.
Lorenco said that the condition of the Highway Department “barn” needs to be immediately addressed. The roof is compromised, it was noted, and bathroom facilities are inadequate. Also ADA compliance is long overdue. The Capital Plan lists $3,200,000 through debt exclusion in FY25 for building renovations. Lorenco said some debt would be retiring, but further finance exploration is needed for funding this project.
The all-inclusive FY24 budget projection is $806,100 with another $25,000 for street signs and roadway painting and $115,000 for snow removal and roadway treatments.
Seney advanced a level-funded, FY24 budget of $202,777 for the Council on Aging. She said that medical-appointment travel continues to be in high demand, especially since the volunteer ride program FISH was heavily impacted by the pandemic. Another service in demand is completing fuel-assistance forms, assisting seniors in navigating the paperwork. Seney stated that the COA has provided services to 957 individuals with 616 of that number Mattapoisett residents in all categories including exercise programs, which are always in high demand.
Seney gave a big shoutout to Liz Leatham, outreach coordinator, for her tireless efforts in providing in-home services and comfort to seniors who may not have the ability to visit the center.
Board of Health Agent Gail Joseph touched on a number of projects and plans for the Transfer Station. FY24 budget projections for various services include recycling pick-up $224,606 and Covanta SEMASS $338,391. Contracts for both services end in 2024. Rubbish pick-up projection is $375,000. All other expenses related to the operation of the station minus salaries are posted at $115,600. Salaries, fuel, professional development and office materials are tagged at $140,321.
Joseph spoke to the improvements to the Transfer Station grounds and new services either in place or planned for future inclusion. Currently available are mattress, metal and other recyclable locations. Joseph said she is in discussion with vendors so that a hazardous-materials area might be set up. This would allow residents to drop off materials whenever the station is open. She also hoped to construct a building that could be used as a “swap shop” or dump store. In both instances, concrete pads would be needed.
Retained earnings continues to be an issue the board has grappled with over the years for the Transfer Station, which is set up as an Enterprise Fund. Projections are that the town’s coffers will have to again subsidize the operation in FY24. Joseph said she was not involved in that side of the department.
The Finance Committee met on February 16 for the first time in the FY24 cycle to map out meeting schedules and get an overview of earnings and expenditures from Lorenco.
Lorenco shared that, if all Capital Planning requests are funded, the total is $861,000 against a free-cash balance of $1,200,000. As things stand presently, Lorenco cautioned that healthcare increases are an unknown sum but assuredly would be higher than last year. Also unknown is the amount of state aid the town will receive. He said he hopes to have those numbers sooner rather than later.
Lorenco touched on the list of construction projects such as Pearl and Oakland Street reconstruction $1,437,000, and takings and other engineering matters related to Phase 2a of the bike path $75,000. Of the Holy Ghost Grounds, Lorenco said he is seeking a grant of $250,000 for “underutilized” municipal property. He told the committee that a grant of $35,000 would be sought for a study of Town Hall and a $30,000 grant for a Harbor Management Plan.
Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School is looking for financial support of a feasibility study from its member communities, Lorenco said. He explained the school’s need for major improvements upon which the future of the school depends. The total cost is $1,000,000, Lorenco said, with the school picking up half that sum and the towns sharing in the balance based on enrollment. Mattapoisett’s portion is scheduled at 8%.
The Mattapoisett School Committee met on February 16 with Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber to present their projected FY24 budget. Lorenco and Finance Committee member Colby Rottler were present.
The presentation listed the following line items: $8,199,021 for Center School and Old Hammondtown Elementary School; that number includes $94,440 for Bristol Agricultural School. The FY23 number was $8,037,327. Nelson said some student programming had been reduced to offset the high cost of utilities and one paraprofessional position has been eliminated. Lorenco asked him to provide a list of those programs he’d like to see added or returned in order to better understand the impact of the reduction and needs.
“We worked on an Operating Budget that would be sustainable,” said Barber, with Nelson adding, “… trying to find a number that serves the students,” and is still fiscally viable.
Rottler asked about school-enrollment numbers as an ongoing question of many taxpayers. Nelson said that in the next five years, enrollment may be reduced by 20 students. Enrollment for FY23 was 418 and for FY22 was 423. Mattapoisett School Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin said those numbers reflected seven grades.
The next budget-related meeting date is to be announced.
Mattapoisett Select Board, Finance Committee and School Committee
By Marilou Newell