Leo Bettencourt

The Finance Committee meeting focused primarily on the review of the Fiscal Year 2027 departmental budgets, including Accounting, Treasurer/Collector, Assessor, Computer Services, Human Resources, Facilities/Grounds, Veterans Services, Select Board, Town Manager, Street Lights, Solid Waste, Council on Aging, and unclassified budgets. Key discussions included salary adjustments, COLA impacts, changes in software contracts (e.g., MUNIS, email archiving switching to Barracuda), utility cost inquiries, and expenditure reviews for various departments. A significant action taken was the approval of Reserve Fund Transfer Request R-1 amounting to $25,000 from the General Fund Reserve Fund to the Police Repairs and Maintenance account to address a critical fresh air intake louver issue. The committee also ratified a timesheet.

The meeting involved providing feedback on questions sent to the Economic Development planner, noting recent commercial activity, and extensive discussion regarding the creation of future constituent and business surveys. Key resident survey topics included what the town is missing and where residents currently conduct business outside of town, with the goal of limiting resident questions to 3-5 items. For business outreach, the committee considered a general survey to identify inhibitors to growth and investment, and discussed potentially hosting events like restaurant bingo or restaurant week. The committee also reviewed feedback from the Dunstable Economic Development Committee regarding their dual role as a Planning Board. Furthermore, the committee discussed economic development-related items from other public meetings, such as the Astle Street Housing Development, the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project, and the Trahan School reuse project proposals, while noting that defining the committee's scope is crucial for determining the relevance of these discussions. The meeting concluded with setting topics for future agendas, including finalizing the mission statement and the surveys.

The Finance Committee meeting focused primarily on reviewing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposals department by department. Key discussion points included the conservative estimate for new growth ($1 million against a five-year average of $1,986,000), the total property tax levy limit, and the budgetary impact of Tewksbury's noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act. Specific departmental budget reviews covered the Library (noting COLA increases, technology grant denials, and HVAC issues), Planning and Conservation (level service with adjustments for contract sealer and postage), Parking Clerk, Registrars, Elections (increase due to more elections), Town Clerk (salary adjustment needs), Building Department (COLA, longevity, and mileage reimbursement questions), Board of Health (nurse funding and inspector mileage rates), Moderator, and Town Council (decrease due to lower anticipated legal expenses). The Town Manager committed to providing historical data on the 60/40 school/town budget split and addressing questions regarding monitored buildings and salary adjustments. The committee also discussed the status of the Economic Development Committee's mission statement formulation.

The primary focus of the meeting was the discussion regarding a Motion for Partial Summary Decision concerning the BESS project, specifically opposition comments related to zoning by-law section 5.6, which pertains to impervious surface limits and stormwater management in the Zone Two drinking water protection area. The Board discussed their role as interveners in the Energy Siting Board (EFSB) proceedings and coordinated efforts to submit health-focused comments regarding impervious surface percentages, artificial recharge requirements, and containment protocols for firefighting water and chemicals. Members expressed concern over the potential impact on the public water supply and the perceived limitations of local jurisdiction over a state project. Separately, the Board addressed the Energy Siting Board's third information request (IR) concerning site comparisons and operational safety, agreeing to compile and submit comments by a set deadline. A motion was passed to allow the Director of Public Health to compile and submit the Board's collective comments and concerns regarding the initial motion by the January 27th deadline.

The meeting included a public hearing for a permit request concerning the keeping of sixty hens at 4 Day Street, which was ultimately approved after inspection confirmed compliance with animal keeping standards. New business involved the approval of adding a $100 non-profit late fee to the fee schedule. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the Town Manager's request for an extension regarding expert witness testimony and the Host Community Agreement (HCA) process related to a large energy storage project. Concerns were raised by the Board regarding the timeline, transparency of negotiation documents (redlined HCA), and the dependency of public safety testimony on the HCA completion. The Board voted to assent to the Town's extension request contingent on receiving access to fire safety data and appendix materials prior to the scheduled joint meeting, and contingent on the EFSB granting an extension of the discovery period. The Kratom hearing was rescheduled, and updates were provided on permit renewals, a recent flu spike with 180 confirmed cases since December 1st, and progress on a Public Health Excellence grant strategic plan.