41:25The council’s budget discussions revealed a critical need to fill the assistant municipal engineer position, which has remained vacant for over a decade. Efforts to recruit for this position have been ongoing but largely unfruitful, with a candidate withdrawing shortly before starting. The council acknowledged the importance of this role in reducing reliance on costly external engineering consultants. The engineering department, currently heavily reliant on outside firms for projects, faces an uphill battle to bring engineering work in-house, potentially leading to significant cost savings.

06:30Director Carvalo of the engineering department detailed the department’s staffing situation, which includes two full-time keyboarding clerks and several part-time roles. The department’s reliance on consultants for design and bid documents remains a burden, costing approximately $520,000 in services from firms like CME and Matrix New World. Carvalo expressed the need for internal growth to tackle road projects, estimating that bringing projects in-house could save substantial amounts per project. The council considered the financial benefits of hiring an assistant municipal engineer and the associated training and software needs to handle upcoming projects.

21:03The meeting also touched on the broader budgetary complexities, including the challenge of managing soft costs linked to bond issuance, such as fees for engineers, architects, and surveyors. Rising inflation was noted as a potential pressure point, yet it also offered opportunities for savings if municipal expenses could grow at a slower rate than external costs. The council discussed the benefits and constraints of hiring part-time employees, particularly retirees, who can share institutional knowledge but face limitations due to pension rules.

26:18Concerns about budget slippage were raised, with the council examining how unspent funds from retirements could be rolled over, potentially increasing the fund balance for future budgets. The council emphasized the importance of accurate budget figures, especially given the need to cut millions from the budget to lessen the tax burden on residents.

01:01:10The health department’s budget was another focal point, with Director Fonino highlighting their success in securing nearly $2 million in grants since 2021, which offset operating costs. However, recent federal grant cuts necessitate increased municipal funding for 2025. Fonino explained that while most salary increases were contractual, the department was fully staffed, with challenges remaining around the adequacy of nurse staffing levels.

01:29:16Animal control also presented challenges, with ongoing difficulties in establishing partnerships with neighboring towns for managing animal populations. Concerns about the current facility, potentially located in a contaminated zone and possibly containing asbestos, were discussed. The council acknowledged these issues and the importance of maintaining animal welfare and adhering to a low-kill philosophy.