In a recent Townsend Finance Committee meeting, a significant matter of contention was the allocation of funds for various town projects and the maintenance of the reserve fund. The committee debated the urgency and necessity of certain expenditures, such as window treatments for the Town Administrator’s office and repairs for town facilities like the library boiler and town hall generator. Amidst these discussions, the committee approved two reserve fund transfer requests totaling $15,000 for urgent maintenance needs.

A key point in the meeting was the discussion of a budget Summit review—a working session where the committee members sought clarity on the budget lines, specifically concerning the funding of new positions and the potential impact on the town’s operating budget. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of the budget in light of increasing salaries and limited growth within the town. This is in the backdrop of the town’s recent special meeting on March 19th, where two overrides were approved. These overrides are slated to appear as ballot questions in the annual town voting on April 22nd, potentially impacting the town’s financial future.

The meeting also touched upon the Council on Aging’s plan to address their operational money and prevent a budget shortfall. This proactive discussion highlighted the committee’s concern over ensuring that departments remain functional without disruptions due to funding issues.

Moreover, the committee members delved into the specifics of reserve fund transfer requests. They discussed the need for immediate funds for essential maintenance, such as the library boiler and sewer lift pumps for Town Hall. The committee’s deliberations were marked by a strong desire for transparency and detailed justification for the expenditures.

In addition to financial deliberations, the committee addressed the issue of a member’s prolonged absence from meetings, which had reached about 18 months.

The Finance Committee’s discussions also included the need for a more structured and transparent budgeting process to better account for both planned and unplanned expenses. The debate embraced the notion of creating separate budget lines for maintenance contracts and repairs. The committee also emphasized the importance of supporting documentation for requested funds, particularly for expenses not originally budgeted.

The committee expressed caution about depleting the reserve fund prematurely and considered waiting until May to reassess before committing funds. The possibility of reallocating funds from other accounts through a municipal transfer request was also considered.

The discussions culminated in the approval of funds for two urgent projects while deferring decisions on others. The committee plans to distribute the approved funds judiciously and address the remaining requests in the future.