A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to examining the implications of shared services with other towns. Town Administrator James Kelley outlined a proposal where employees hired through these agreements would be treated as town employees, warranting the provision of benefits. However, the associated costs would be reimbursed by the collaborating town, presenting a potentially cost-effective staffing solution. This approach aims to address budgetary constraints while meeting departmental needs.

Furthermore, a discussion centered on potential budgetary strains within the police department, particularly due to the departure of officers to the state police. This loss may necessitate increased spending on academy training and uniforms. The DPW budget also faced scrutiny, with plans to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for trash processing and curb pickup, which could result in higher costs as the last procurement was five years ago. The fire department was mentioned, but no changes were anticipated.

Contractual obligations and salary increases were another area of concern. A committee member raised questions about the funding for a part-time clerk position in the planning department, which was discussed favorably in previous meetings but not included in the current budget proposal. Kelley clarified that the Board of Selectmen had not provided direction on this request. The unresolved contract situation with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) further complicated salary discussions, as no contract had been settled and no funds were allocated for clerical raises.

The committee also delved into the recreation and parks budget, considering cuts that, while minor, could impact small budgets. Suggestions were made to use funds from the YES account to cover salaries for younger employees and ease financial pressures. The recreation department is seeking to fill a part-time position, with pay ranging from $18 to $20 per hour, but it seemed more funds were spent on temporary positions than planned for permanent ones.

Concerns extended to health insurance costs, with projections indicating a potential 20% increase, translating to a financial burden of $400,000. The committee discussed health insurance strategies, acknowledging the limitations municipalities face in securing competitive rates due to insurers withdrawing from the market.

The meeting also addressed the need for a reserve transfer request to support the Council on Aging (COA) budget, strained by staffing shortages. The COA’s sprinkler system faced issues due to recalled heads not being replaced in time, likely necessitating costly repairs.

Efforts are ongoing to ensure accurate job postings and salary ranges, with plans to publish openings soon. Additionally, interviews for the Town Administrator position were planned, as candidate interest had fluctuated.