The committee began with an examination of the recent amendments to the Diamond Regional School budget. Initially set at $293 million, the project funding has now surged to $305 million following an increased contribution from the MSBA, which rose from $148 million to $173 million. This change has both alleviated and complicated Westport’s financial obligations. While the town’s share of the repayment is reduced due to the additional MSBA funds, the overall cost increase has raised Westport’s responsibility to $7 million, $600,000 more than initially anticipated.

This budgetary adjustment presented a challenge for the Finance Committee, as Town Meeting had only approved the original $293 million. To address this, the committee plans to request a DE2 form from the Department of Revenue to seek approval to include the additional funding as excluded debt. This process is pending further details from the project’s architect and may hinge on specific exceptions, such as cost increases attributed to inflation or the reinstatement of previously removed items.

The procedural nuances surrounding the approval process sparked further discussion. While the Select Board has voted to accept the increase to avoid a referendum involving all affected communities, questions were raised about the authority of the Select Board to approve the increase without a new vote from Town Meeting. It was clarified that the initial Town Meeting vote was specifically for borrowing, not an outright project approval, allowing the Select Board to exercise its authority in this matter.

Attention then shifted to broader educational budget challenges facing Westport. Concerns were expressed that the town’s tight budget might have been more effectively allocated to local educational needs rather than the Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School. One member voiced a preference for supporting Westport Community Schools.

The committee also explored the implications of the school project’s financial changes on the town’s operating budget. The need to source additional funding for the increased costs could result in an annual cost rise of approximately $28,000 to $38,000 for the town. There was a noted urgency in addressing these fiscal challenges while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Following the in-depth discussion on the school project, the committee reviewed updates from the Town Administrator, Jim Hartnett, regarding free cash and departmental turn backs. Hartnett reported that the free cash certification was completed earlier than in previous years, with a total allocation of $3.5 million to the general fund. The breakdown revealed contributions from departmental turn backs and local receipts, although excise tax revenues had plateaued, raising concerns about future revenue growth.

Hartnett also addressed the situation of police department vacancies, clarifying that while a reduction in turn backs from public safety was seen as positive, it was primarily due to unfilled positions rather than increased staffing. The department had adjusted its hiring policies, allowing for the recruitment of officers from outside the town, partially filling some vacancies.

In addition to these financial updates, the committee explored potential revenue from New Growth, setting expectations at $400,000, with hopes of reaching $600,000. However, increases in budget categories did not meet the Consumer Price Index (CPI), perpetuating a deficit in day-to-day operating expenses.

The meeting also touched on the potential for improvements in the Bristol County retirement pension, projected to be fully caught up by 2030. This development could reduce annual payments from $3.5 million to approximately $2 million, offering some financial relief in the future.

Amid these discussions, the committee navigated issues surrounding communication and adherence to open meeting laws. Members sought clarity on appropriate discussions within the committee and the handling of agenda items. A notable point of concern was the need for a structured agenda for a potential joint meeting with the select board and school board to address budgetary strategies.