The committee’s financial forecast for Fiscal Year 2027 highlighted a projected shortfall of $89,868, necessitating the use of retained earnings to cover the deficit. Total expenses are anticipated to reach $298,868, with revenue projections falling short at $209,000. Salaries constitute the largest portion of the budget, estimated at $159,120, accompanied by indirect costs of $35,648 and operational expenses of $39,100. Notably, capital expenses are excluded from this operational figure.

A significant portion of the discussion centered around the impending contract negotiations with Comcast. The committee emphasized the necessity of hiring an attorney specializing in cable negotiations, as the town’s legal counsel focuses primarily on town and committee business. The estimated cost for legal representation in these negotiations stands at $12,000, further burdening the committee’s financial resources. This need for specialized legal expertise was underscored by concerns about the committee’s inability to utilize town legal counsel for these purposes.

The implications of declining subscriber numbers on franchise fees were also discussed. A 6.3% decline in Comcast video service revenue from Lunenburg was noted, impacting financial projections for FY27. Despite this, the committee remains optimistic about its programming initiatives, citing ongoing community engagement and a growing number of locally produced programs.

The committee’s programming efforts are robust, with significant growth reported for channel 9. As of October, 60 programs have been produced, with projections indicating the potential to exceed 100 programs for the year. The successful recording and upload of the first episode of “Committee Confidential” with the Council on Aging was highlighted, alongside plans for a new show titled “Book Club.” These initiatives put a strain on resources, especially considering the burden of public town meetings.

Additionally, the committee reviewed their retained earnings against annual expenses over a four-year period. Capital expenses, including a cast server replacement costing $55,543 and emergency equipment repairs totaling $9,457, were identified as significant contributors to the overall financial shortfall.

In response to the financial constraints, the committee discussed potential income from bonds, projecting that short-term bonds would yield higher returns than long-term ones in the coming years. However, they decided against incorporating potential federal interest rate reductions into their financial planning due to uncertainty.

On the technological front, new contractual agreements with Comcast are expected to increase annual expenses by approximately $9,000 starting in FY28. Enhancements such as a video on demand service and closed captioning for live events will incur annual fees, improving the committee’s capabilities. One-time fees for integrating services with platforms like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, alongside annual fees for mobile app access, were also discussed.

The committee also addressed legislative efforts to modernize funding for community media. The nuances of funding distribution based on population were highlighted as needing further clarification.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the presentation of the budget proposal to the tri-board committee. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously supported to present the amended proposal.