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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-20 Finance Committee Financial Forum Packet Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda 2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Finance Committee Date: 2021-10-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Public Library Location: Community Room Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Agenda: Purpose: Financial Forum Meeting Called By: Jacquelyn LaVerde on behalf of Chair Ed Ross Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: This meeting will be held in-person in the Community Room of the Library and remotely via Zoom. It will be broadcast on RCTV as ususal. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81306494289 Meeting ID: 813 0649 4289 One tap mobile +16465588656,,81306494289# US (New York) +16465189805,,81306494289# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) Meeting ID: 813 0649 4289 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbtIxHJE7J AGENDA: Opening Remarks Ross Introduction of Superintendent Dr. Tom Milaschewski and School Finance Director Susan Bottan - Ross Review of FY21 Revenues & Expenses Angstrom Update for FY22 Revenues & Free Cash Angstrom Projected FY23 Revenues Angstrom Projected FY23 Accommodated Costs LeLacheur Use of Free Cash to support FY23 budget All FY23 Operating Budget guidance - FINCOM This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. 1 Page | 1 Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda Discuss Working Group to Identify Community Needs for ARPA Funds - Ross & Borawski Discuss uses of ARPA Funds - Angstrom Discuss/vote any financial articles for October Special Town Meeting FINCOM* Discuss/vote any financial articles for November Subsequent Town Meeting FINCOM* Approve Meeting Minutes: September 30, 2021 - FINCOM This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. 2 Page | 2 3.15%3.20%3.50%3.40%3.20% Town of Reading Budget Summary One YrOne YrOne YrOne YrOne Yr 10/14/21 12:17 PMFinalChngFinalChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChng No.FY21FY21FY22FY22FY23FY23FY24FY24FY25FY25 Revenues A1Total Property Taxes78,077,6273.6%81,423,8314.3%84,330,3303.6%87,423,8033.7%89,335,8342.2% A2Total Other Local Revenues7,250,000-7.3%7,730,0006.6%7,595,000-1.7%8,005,0005.4%8,295,0003.6% A3Total Intergov't Revenues14,400,000-1.0%14,777,4712.6%15,150,0002.5%15,528,7502.5%15,916,9692.5% A4Total Transfers & Available4,017,513-1.1%3,982,684-0.9%4,046,1781.6%4,109,9041.6%4,147,1860.9% A98Revs before Free Cash$ 103,745,1401.93%$ 107,913,9864.02%$ 111,121,5082.97%$ 115,067,4583.55%$ 117,694,9882.28% A5Free Cash2,082,000108.2%2,110,0001.3%2,025,000-4.0%2,040,0000.7%2,013,500-1.3% A6Extra for Capital00.0%760,0000.0%475,000-37.5%460,000-3.2%486,5005.8% A99Net Available Revenues$ 105,827,1402.97%$ 110,783,9864.68%$ 113,621,5082.56%$ 117,567,4583.47%$ 120,194,9882.23% Accommodated Costs B Benefits18,416,6701.5%19,108,5343.8%19,930,5004.3%20,866,1084.7%21,687,8243.9% C Capital2,304,500-36.1%3,955,00071.6%2,675,000-32.4%2,560,000-4.3%2,736,5006.9% Debt (inside levy)2,145,41539.9%1,970,801-8.1%3,207,45962.7%3,496,3849.0%3,543,0021.3% D Debt (excluded)2,848,182-1.9%2,792,043-2.0%2,732,582-2.1%2,686,112-1.7%1,279,700-52.4% E Energy2,000,000-4.5%2,015,0000.8%2,045,0001.5%2,110,0003.2%2,175,0003.1% F Financial1,030,00013.7%1,010,000-1.9%1,000,000-1.0%1,020,0002.0%1,040,0002.0% G Education - Out of district5,325,0005.5%5,446,2502.3%5,580,0002.5%5,803,2004.0%6,035,3284.0% H Education - Vocational550,00021.6%788,00043.3%840,0006.6%873,6004.0%1,108,54426.9% J Miscellaneous3,539,9275.3%3,628,5872.5%3,400,000-6.3%3,503,0003.0%3,583,2462.3% K Community Priorities931,8030.0%150,0000.0%00.0%00.0%00.0% L1Accommodated Costs$ 39,091,4972.17%$ 40,864,2144.53%$ 41,410,5411.34%$ 42,918,4043.64%$ 43,189,1450.63% L2Net Accommodated Costs$ 39,091,4972.17%$ 40,864,2144.53%$ 41,410,5411.34%$ 42,918,4043.64%$ 43,189,1450.63% $ 60,664$ 45,641$ 15,122 Operating Costs OC1Municipal Gov't Operating 22,928,4273.46% 23,836,7743.20% 24,722,8113.50% 26,016,2783.40% 26,848,7993.20% adjustments 169,222 50,000 438,000 adjustments (EF+RF) 1,115,0463.15% 1,150,7273.20% 1,191,0033.50% 1,231,4973.40% 1,270,9053.20% TOTAL Muni Govt OPER 24,212,6954.17% 25,037,5013.41% 26,351,8145.25% 27,247,7753.40% 28,119,7043.20% OC2School Operating 42,805,4632.77% 44,249,7483.20% 45,798,4893.50% 47,355,6383.40% 48,871,0183.20% adjustments 72,200 TOTAL School OPER 42,877,6632.95% 44,249,7483.20% 45,798,4893.50% 47,355,6383.40% 48,871,0183.20% OC4Operating Budgets$ 67,090,3573.39%$ 69,287,2493.27%$ 72,150,3034.13%$ 74,603,4133.40%$ 76,990,7223.20% Municipal Gov't Operating36.1%36.1%36.5%36.5%36.5% School Operating63.9%63.9%63.5%63.5%63.5% TOTAL SPENDING$ 106,181,8542.93%$ 110,151,4633.74%$ 113,560,8443.10%$ 117,521,8163.49%$ 120,179,8672.26% ` Muni Govt OPER$ 24,212,6954.17%$ 25,037,5013.41%$ 26,351,8145.25%$ 27,247,7753.40%$ 28,119,7043.20% Muni Govt ACCOM$ 5,534,550-0.95%$ 5,693,4372.87%$ 5,495,000-3.49%$ 5,664,2503.08%$ 5,810,2782.58% Muni Govt TOTAL$ 29,747,2453.18%$ 30,730,9383.31%$ 31,846,8143.63%$ 32,912,0253.34%$ 33,929,9823.09% School OPER$ 42,877,6632.95%$ 44,249,7483.20%$ 45,798,4893.50%$ 47,355,6383.40%$ 48,871,0183.20% School ACCOM$ 5,325,0004.07%$ 5,446,2502.28%$ 5,580,0002.46%$ 5,803,2004.00%$ 6,035,3284.00% School TOTAL$ 48,202,6633.07%$ 49,695,9983.10%$ 51,378,4893.39%$ 53,158,8383.47%$ 54,906,3463.29% 3 ATown of ReadingOne YrOne YrOne YrOne YrOne Yr Revenues - Details ChangesProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChng No.10/14/21 12:17 PMFY21FY21FY22FY22FY23FY23FY24FY24FY25FY25 Property Taxes Tax levy (within levy limit)75,011,4603.3%78,200,0004.3%81,385,0004.1%84,444,6253.8%87,683,2413.8% New Growth967,30363.2%$ 1,200,000 24.1%$ 1,000,000-16.7%1,100,00010.0%1,200,0009.1% Tax levy (debt exclusion)2,848,182-1.9%2,791,882-2.0%2,732,582-2.1%2,686,112-1.7%1,279,700-52.4% Abatements and exemptions(749,318)2.5%(768,051)2.5%(787,252)2.5%(806,934)2.5%(827,107)2.5% A1Total Property Taxes78,077,6273.6%81,423,8314.3%84,330,3303.6%87,423,8033.7%89,335,8342.2% Other Local Revenues Motor Vehicle Excise3,700,000-7.5%3,850,0004.1%$ 3,900,0001.3%4,050,0003.8%4,200,0003.7% Meals Tax250,000-37.5%365,00046.0%$ 420,00015.1%435,0003.6%450,0003.4% Penalties/interest on taxes205,0000.0%215,0004.9%$ 215,0000.0%220,0002.3%225,0002.3% Payments in lieu of taxes385,0002.7%385,0000.0%$ 400,0003.9%405,0001.3%410,0001.2% Charges for services2,000,0002.6%2,100,0005.0%$ 2,100,0000.0%2,200,0004.8%2,275,0003.4% Licenses & permits160,000-5.9%165,0003.1%$ 150,000-9.1%160,0006.7%165,0003.1% Fines75,000-25.0%100,00033.3%$ 75,000-25.0%100,00033.3%100,0000.0% Interest Earnings375,000-16.7%400,0006.7%$ 210,000-47.5%300,00042.9%325,0008.3% Medicaid Reimbursement100,000-42.9%150,00050.0%$ 125,000-16.7%135,0008.0%145,0007.4% A2Total Other Local Revenues7,250,000-7.3%7,730,0006.6%7,595,000-1.7%8,005,0005.4%8,295,0003.6% Intergovernmental Revenue State Aid14,400,000-1.0%$ 14,777,4712.6%15,150,0002.5%15,528,7502.5%15,916,9692.5% A3Total Intergov't Revenues14,400,000-1.0%14,777,4712.6%15,150,0002.5%15,528,7502.5%15,916,9692.5% Operating Transfers and Available Funds Cemetery sale of lots25,0000.0%25,0000.0%25,0000.0%25,0000.0%25,0000.0% RMLD payment2,468,7280.0%2,400,000-2.8%2,400,0000.0%2,400,0000.0%2,400,0000.0% Enterprise Fund Support1,115,0463.2%1,150,7273.2%1,191,0033.5%1,231,4973.4%1,270,9053.2% School Revolving Funds50,000-50.0%100,000100%100,0000.0%100,0000.0%100,0000.0% Premiums Reserve for Debt8,739-17%6,957-20%5,175-26%3,407-34%1,281-62% Overlay surplus350,000-6.7%300,000-14.3%325,0008.3%350,0007.7%350,0000.0% A4Total Transfers & Available4,017,513-1.1%3,982,684-0.9%4,046,1781.6%4,109,9041.6%4,147,1860.9% OPERATING REVENUES103,745,1401.93%107,913,9864.02%111,121,5082.97%115,067,4583.55%117,694,9882.28% A5Free Cash2,082,000108.2%2,870,00037.8%2,500,000-12.9%2,500,0000.0%2,500,0000.0% TOTAL REVENUES105,827,1402.97%110,783,9864.68%113,621,5082.56%117,567,4583.47%120,194,9882.23% Town of Reading Acc. Costs - Summary One YrOne YrOne YrOne YrOne Yr 10/14/21 12:17 PMChangesProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChng No.FY21FY21FY22FY22FY23FY23FY24FY24FY25FY25 BBenefits 18,416,670 1.5% 19,108,534 3.8% 19,930,500 4.3% 20,866,108 4.7% 21,687,824 3.9% CCapital 2,304,500 3,955,000 2,675,000 2,560,000 2,736,500 Debt (inside levy) 2,145,415-13.4% 1,970,801 33.2% 3,207,459-0.7% 3,496,384 3.0% 3,543,002 3.7% DDebt (excluded) 2,848,182 2,791,882 2,732,582 2,686,112 1,279,700 EEnergy 2,000,000-4.5% 2,015,000 0.8% 2,045,000 1.5% 2,110,000 3.2% 2,175,000 3.1% FFinancial 1,030,000 13.7% 1,010,000-1.9% 1,000,000-1.0% 1,020,000 2.0% 1,040,000 2.0% GEducation - Out of district 5,325,000 5.5% 5,446,250 2.3% 5,580,000 2.5% 5,803,200 4.0% 6,035,328 4.0% HEducation - Vocational 550,000 21.6% 788,000 43.3% 840,000 6.6% 873,600 4.0% 1,108,544 26.9% JMiscellaneous 3,539,927 5.3% 3,628,587 2.5% 3,400,000-6.3% 3,503,000 3.0% 3,583,246 2.3% KCommunity Priorities 931,803$ 150,000$ 200,000 TOTAL Accomm. COSTS$ 39,091,4972.2%$ 40,864,0534.5%$ 41,610,5411.8%$ 42,918,4043.1%$ 43,189,1450.6% 4 Town of ReadingOne YrOne YrOne YrOne YrOne Yr Acc. Costs - Details ChangesProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChngProjectedChng BFY21FY21FY22FY22FY23FY23FY24FY24FY25FY25 B1Contributory Retirement5,228,67025.0%5,568,5346.5%$ 5,930,5006.5%6,315,9836.5%6,726,5216.5% B3OBRA fees & OPEB study40,000-20.0%40,0000.0%$ 40,0000.0%40,0000.0%40,0000.0% B4OPEB contribution100,000-82.6%100,0000%$ 350,000250.0%500,00042.9%500,0000.0% B5Workers Compensation352,0000.6%395,00012.2%$ 405,0002.5%415,1252.5%425,5032.5% B6Unemployment Benefits95,00026.7%75,000-21.1%$ 75,0000.0%75,0000.0%75,0000.0% B7Group Health / Life Ins.11,486,000-2.5%11,800,0002.7%$ 12,000,0001.7%12,360,0003.0%12,730,8003.0% B8Medicare / Social Security987,000-1.3%1,000,0001.3%$ 1,000,0000.0%1,025,0002.5%1,050,0002.4% B9Police / Fire Indemnification128,0006.7%130,0001.6%$ 130,0000.0%135,0003.8%140,0003.7% B99Acc. Costs - Benefits$ 18,416,6701.5%$ 19,108,5343.8%$ 19,930,5004.3%$ 20,866,1084.7%$ 21,687,8243.9% C99Acc. Costs - Capital$ 2,304,500-36.1%$ 3,955,00071.6%$ 2,675,000-32.4%$ 2,560,000-4.3%$ 2,811,5009.8% D1Debt Service - Principal 4,155,00015.4% 4,085,000-1.7% 5,072,33324.2% 5,413,1336.7% 4,133,333-23.6% D2Debt Service - Interest 829,8580.6% 670,726-19.2% 862,53328.6% 765,956-11.2% 688,088-10.2% D3Excluded debt (2,848,182)-1.9% (2,791,882)-2.0% (2,732,582)-2.1% (2,686,112)-1.7% (1,279,700)-52.4% Total Included Debt$ 2,136,67640.3%$ 1,963,844-8.1%$ 3,202,28463.1%$ 3,492,9779.1%$ 3,541,7211.4% Premiums for general fund$ 8,739-17%$ 6,957-20%$ 5,175-26%$ 3,407-34%$ 1,281-62% D99Acc. Costs -Debt$ 4,993,59712.6%$ 4,762,683-4.6%$ 5,940,04124.7%$ 6,182,4964.1%$ 4,822,702-22.0% E1Street Lighting (DPW)145,000-12.0%150,0003.4%$ 130,000-13.3%135,0003.8%140,0003.7% E2Electricty (FacCORE)875,000-2.7%875,0000.0%$ 900,0002.9%925,0002.8%950,0002.7% E3Natl Gas (FacCORE)635,000-5.1%635,0000.0%$ 650,0002.4%670,0003.1%690,0003.0% E4Water/Sewer (FacCORE)180,0004.8%190,0005.6%$ 200,0005.3%210,0005.0%220,0004.8% E6Fuel - vehicles (DPW)165,000-13.2%165,0000.0%$ 165,0000.0%170,0003.0%175,0002.9% E99Acc. Costs - Energy$ 2,000,000-4.5%$ 2,015,0000.8%$ 2,045,0001.5%$ 2,110,0003.2%$ 2,175,0003.1% F1Casualty Ins (AD SVC)560,00014.1%660,00017.9%$ 680,0003.0%700,0002.9%720,0002.9% F2Vet's Assistance (PUB SVC)170,000-20.9%150,000-11.8%$ 120,000-20.0%120,0000.0%120,0000.0% F3FINCOM Reserve Fund300,00050.0%200,000-33.3%$ 200,0000.0%200,0000.0%200,0000.0% F99Acc. Costs - Financial$ 1,030,00013.7%$ 1,010,000-1.9%$ 1,000,000-1.0%$ 1,020,0002.0%$ 1,040,0002.0% G1SPED transp OOD (Sch)1,325,00010.4%1,391,2505.0%$ 1,035,000-25.6%1,076,4004.0%1,119,4564.0% G2aSPED tuition OOD (Sch)5,100,0007.4%5,355,0005.0%$ 5,575,0004.1%5,798,0004.0%6,029,9204.0% G2bSPED contingency$ 470,000100.0%488,8004.0%508,3524.0% G3SPED offsets OOD (Sch)(1,100,000)21.8%(1,300,000)18.2%$ (1,500,000)15.4%(1,560,000)4.0%(1,622,400)4.0% G99Acc. Costs - OOD SPED$ 5,325,0005.5%$ 5,446,2502.3%$ 5,580,0002.5%$ 5,803,2004.0%$ 6,035,3284.0% H1Voc School - NERMVS455,00032.6%572,00025.7%$ 610,0006.6%634,4004.0%859,77635.5% H2Voc School - Minute Man35,000-21.7%46,00031.4%$ 50,0008.7%52,0004.0%54,0804.0% Voc School - Essex North60,000-6.9%170,000183.3%$ 180,0005.9%187,2004.0%194,6884.0% H99Acc. Costs - Vocational$ 550,00021.6%$ 788,00043.3%$ 840,0006.6%$ 873,6004.0%$ 1,108,54426.9% J1Rubbish (DPW) 1,850,0009.2% 1,905,5003.0%$ 1,975,0003.6% 2,034,2503.0% 2,095,2783.0% J2Snow and Ice Control (DPW) 675,0000.0% 675,0000.0%$ 675,0000.0% 700,0003.7% 700,0000.0% J3State Assessments735,3771.7%760,1503.4%$ 750,000-1.3%768,7502.5%787,9692.5% Cemetery (DPW)279,5504.1%287,9373.0% J99Acc. Costs - Misc.$ 3,539,9275.3%$ 3,628,5872.5%$ 3,400,000-6.3%$ 3,503,0003.0%$ 3,583,2462.3% 5 6 Guidance ARPA Funding Forum I Town of Reading August 31, 2021 Financial 7 19). This - ARPA/CLFRF Background On March 11, 2021, the President of the United States signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). This law provides resources through the new Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) to local governments to respond to the public health emergency caused by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID fund is administered by the US Department of the Treasury. st 8 Entitlement Units of - need to submit an interim report ARPA Reporting Requirements do not quent Annual Reports must be submitted by October 31 Reading is considered an NEUNEUsNEUs are required to submit an annual Project and Expenditure report until the end of the award period on December 31, 2026.The initial Annual Project and Expenditure report for NEUs will cover activity from the date of the award to September 30, 2021.The initial Annual Report is due October 31, 2021.Subseeach year. There are different reporting requirements for Metropolitan Cities and Counties as opposed to NonLocal Governments (NEUs). 9 4,933,652 $2,658,581$7,592,234 Amount ARPA Funds Awarded Funds Awarded to ReadingMunicipal AllocationCounty Reallocation (Middlesex)Total ARPA funds Awarded -- 4,730 10 500,980 1,199,935 $7,592,234$9,297,879 Remaining - 4,922 35,637 296,503 1,732,9251,014,461 $ $3,084,448 Exp/Encumb. 9,652 35,637 296,503 2,233,9052,214,396 Awarded $ 7,592,234 $12,382,327 School (4 grants) Town wide Grant Name ARPA*FEMACARESCARESCOVID School Meals COVID Health & AmbulanceTotal COVID Grants Federal COVID Funds*FEMA Funds are reimbursement only, amount shown represents expenses to date. 11 efforts to mitigate recipients may invest to funds may be used for additional Eligible Uses - 19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, - payments may be used to fund government COVID ARPA Grant Economic impacts on the public health emergencyeconomic harm to workers, households, small businesses, affected industries, and the public sector.Lost public sector revenue services to the extent of revenue reductions from the pandemicPremium pay for essential workers support for those who have faced the greatest health risks because of their service infrastructureWater, sewer and broadband infrastructureimprove access to clean drinking water, support wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expand access to broadband internet Public health spending behavioral health, and certain public health and safety staff 1.2.3.4.5. 12 be used to: Ineligible Uses - cannot ARPA Grant reserve fundMake a deposit to a pension fund ARPA funding 13 19 - Enforcement of public health ordersPublic communication effortsEnhancements of healthcare capacity, including alternative care facilitiesSupport for prevention, mitigation or other services in congregate living facilities and schoolsCapital investments in public facilities to meet pandemic operational needs.Ventilation improvements in key settings ) Vaccination programsMedical expensesTestingContact tracingIsolation and quarantinePPE purchasesSupport for vulnerable populations to access medical or public health servicesPublic health surveillance (e.g., monitoring for variantsEnhancements of public health data systems Supporting the public health response: Services & programs to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID 14 19 response - Services to - Mental health treatmentSubstance misuse treatmentOther behavioral health issuesHotlines or warmlinesCrisis interventionServices or outreach to promote access to health and social servicesPayroll and covered benefits expenses for public health, healthcare, human services, public safety and similar employees, to the extent they work on the COVID Supporting the public health response address behavioral healthcare needs exacerbated by the pandemic: 15 19 - kind - including aid to helping them to address financial 19 prevention and mitigation tactics, as well as to provide - Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency: Delivering assistance to workers and families unemployed workers and job training, as well as aid to households facing food, housing or financial insecurity. In addition, these funds victims.Supporting small business challenges caused by the pandemic and make investments in COVIDtechnical assistance to achieve these goals, recipients may employ this funding to execute a broad array of loan, grant, inassistance, and counseling programs to enable small businesses to rebound from the downturn. 16 by addressing by rehiring public sector staff to hit communities and families - supporting industries that were particularly hit hard by the 19 emergency and are just now beginning to mend (similarly - pandemic levels. Recipients may also use this funding to build - Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency: Speeding the recovery of the tourism, travel and hospitalities sectors COVIDimpacted sectors within the local area are also eligible for support)Rebuilding public sector capacity pretheir internal capacity to successfully implement economic relief programs, with investments in data analysis, targeted outreach, technology infrastructure, and impact evaluations.Serving the hardesthealth disparities, investments in housing and neighborhoods, addressing educational disparities, and promoting healthy childhood environments 17 2018 (latest available data) - b) 4.1%, the national average state and local revenue a) the recipients average annual revenue growth over the three full fiscal years prior to the pandemic orgrowth rate from 2015Once a shortfall of revenue is identified, recipients will have a broad latitude to use this funding to support government services. Replacing lost public sector revenue: State and local governments that are facing budget shortfalls may use ARPA funds to avoid cuts to governmental servicesRecipients will compute the extent of their reduction in revenue by comparing their actual revenue to an alternative representing what could have been expected to occur in the absence of the pandemic and project forward at either 18 must Recipients may care settings - . The Treasury emphasizes the need to Staff at nursing homes, hospitals and homeWorkers at farms, food production facilities, grocery stores and restaurantsJanitors and sanitation workersPublic health and safety staffTruck drivers, transit staff, and warehouse workersChildcare workers, educators, and school staffSocial service and human service staffWork done remote does not qualify Providing premium pay for essential workers: use funding to provide premium pay directly, or through grants to private employers, to a broad range of essential workers who be present at their jobsprioritize premium pay for lower income workers. 19 being of - ARPA defines premium pay to mean an amount up to $13 As provided under sections 602(g)(2) and 603(g)(2), the chief executive of each recipient has discretion to add additional sectors to this list, so long as additional sectors are deemed critical to protect the health and wellresidents.per hour in addition to wages or remuneration the worker otherwise receives and in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000 per eligible worker.the occupation as defined by the Bureau of Labor & Statistics, a written justification of how the premium pay or grant is responsive to workers performing essential worker during the public health emergency. 20 owned treatment works. - owned treatment infrastructure, - Recipients may use funds to invest in necessary improvements to their water and sewer infrastructures, including projects that address the impacts of climate change.Recipients may use funds to invest in an array of drinking water infrastructure projects, such as building or upgrading facilities and transmission, distribution, and storage systems, including replacement of lead service lines.Recipients may use funds to invest in wastewater infrastructure projects including constructing publiclymanaging and treating stormwater or subsurface draining water, facilitating water reuse, and securing publiclyThe rules align types of eligible projects with the wide range of projects and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Investing in water and sewer infrastructure: 21 Investing in broadband infrastructure: speed, reliable, and affordable broadband coverage. - The pandemic has underscored the importance of access to universal high30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband service or where existing services do no deliver minimally acceptable speeds.For millions of Americans, the high cost of broadband access may place it out of reach.Recipients should build broadband infrastructure with modern technologies in mind, specifically those projects that deliver services offering reliable 100 Mbps download and 200 Mbps upload speeds.Recipients are encouraged to pursue fiber optic investments.In view of the wide disparities in broadband access, assistance to households to support internet access or digital literacy are eligible uses. MEMORANDUM TO:Municipaland County Chief Executives FR:Executive Office for Administration & Finance Federal Funds Office (FFO) DT:June 3, 2021 RE:Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund(CLFRF) Eligible Uses On March 11, 2021, the President of the United States signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), Pub. L. No. 117-2. This law provides resources through the new Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) to local governments to respondtothe public health emergency caused by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). This fund is administered by On May 10, 2021, the US Treasury issued the Interim Final Rule(IFR)(i.e., eligibility guidelines) document for CLFRF.eligibility uses of CLFRF are outlined in this memo.This memo should be used as a brief outline of the relevant Treasury materials. Of note, unlike with the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund Municipal Program (CvRF- will notmake individual eligibility determinations regarding the use of CLFRF for specific expenses. The responsibility for such determinations falls on the municipality or county, as they are the prime recipientof the funding. Municipalities and counties should refer to the IFR when making such determinations. This varies from CvRF-MP,as the Commonwealth was the prime recipient of the relevant CvRF-MP funding, which was th- . Eligible Uses Treasury has identified five core areas for deploying funds: 1.Public health spending. This includes COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health, and certain public health and safety staff. 2.Economic impacts of the public health emergency. These include efforts to mitigate economic harm to workers, households, small businesses, affected industries, and the public sector. 3.Lost public sector revenue. Payments may be used to fund government services to the extent of revenue reductions from the pandemic (furtherinformation on this eligible use can be found here). 4.Premium pay for essential workers. Funds may be used for additional support for those who have faced the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors(further information on this eligible use can be foundinthe IFR, pages 40-46). 1 22 5.Water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Recipients may invest to improve access to clean drinking water, support wastewater and stormwater infrastructure,and expand access to broadband internet. a.Wide range of eligible water and sewer infrastructure projects specifically, all that would otherwise be eligible to receive financial assistance through the ate Revolving Fund (CWSRF) or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). b.Broadband projects must provideservice to unserved and underserved households and businesses. Eligible projects are expected to be designed to deliver, upon project completion, service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical upload and download speeds of 100 Mbps Potential eligible uses within these five core areas include the following expenses: Direct COVID-related costs (testing, contact tracing, etc.) Public health and safety staff Hiring state and local government staff up to the number of employees to pre-pandemic levels Assistance to unemployed workers, including job training Contributions to UI systems Small business assistance Nonprofit assistance Assistance to households Aid to impacted industries Expenses to improve efficacy of public health or economic relief programs CLFRF funding cannot be used to: Make a deposit to a pension fund Addressing Disparities in Public Health Outcomes Qualified Census Tract-a low- income area as designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.The recipients of such services are presumed eligible without an individual determination of COVID-19 impact presumption of adverse impacts from COVID-19 to all populations located within a QCT.Services targeted towards these populations and funded through CLFRF can include all eligible uses listed above, as well as those that: Addresshealth disparities and thesocial determinants of health Invest in housing and neighborhoods Address educational disparities Promotehealthy childhood environments 2 23 Recipients (municipalities and counties) have the ability to generate their own definition of their determination that the pandemic resulted in disproportionatepublic health or economic outcomes to the specific populations, households, or geographic areas to be served. Transfers Counties and municipalities are able to transfer CLFRF funding other governmental, private, and non-profit organizations.The IFRstipulates that the transferee becomes the subrecipient and the transferor (in this scenario, the county or municipality), as the prime recipient,is responsible for ensuring that transferred funds used in compliance with guidelines laid out in the IFRand maintains responsibility for all relevant spending reporting requirements. Counties and municipalities are able to transfer their award to the Commonwealth without such subrecipient restrictions applying, however. In this scenario, the Commonwealth becomes the primerecipient of the funding and Treasury adjusts award amounts for the For such a transfer to be initiated, thecounty or municipality must submit a formal request to Treasury. 3 24 FACT SHEET: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Will Deliver $350 Billionfor State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Governments to Respond to the COVID-19 Emergency and Bring Back Jobs May 10, 2021 Aid to state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments will help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to provide $350 billion in emergency funding for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments. Treasury also released details on how these funds can be used to respond to acute pandemic response needs, fill revenue shortfalls among these governments, and support the communities and populations hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. With the launch of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, eligible jurisdictions will be able to access this funding in the coming days to address these needs. State, local, territorial, and Tribal governments have been on the frontlines of responding to the immense public health and economic needs created by this crisis – from standing up vaccination sites to supporting small businesses – even as these governments confronted revenue shortfalls during the downturn. As a result, these governments have endured unprecedented strains, forcing many to make untenable choices between laying off educators, firefighters, and other frontline workers or failing to provide other services that communities rely on. Faced with these challenges, state and local governments have cut over 1 million jobs since the beginning of the crisis. The experience of prior economic downturns has shown that budget pressures like these often result in prolonged fiscal austerity that can slow an economic recovery. To support the immediate pandemic response, bring back jobs, and lay the groundwork for a strong and equitable recovery, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, designed to deliver $350 billion to state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to bolster their response to the COVID-19 emergency and its economic impacts. Today, Treasury is launching this much-needed relief to: • Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control; • Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs; • Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and, • Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic on certain populations. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial flexibility for each jurisdiction to meet local needs—including support for households, small businesses, impacted industries, essential workers, and the communities hardest-hit by the crisis. These funds also deliver resources that recipients can invest in building, maintaining, or upgrading their water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. 1 25 Starting today, eligible state, territorial, metropolitan city, county, and Tribal governments may request Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the Treasury Submission Portal. Concurrent with this program launch, Treasury has published an Interim Final Rule that implements the provisions of this program. FUNDING AMOUNTS The American Rescue Plan provides a total of $350 billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to help eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments meet their present needs and build the foundation for a strong recovery. Congress has allocated this funding to tens of thousands of jurisdictions. These allocations include: Amount Type ($ billions) States & District of Columbia $195.3 Counties$65.1 Metropolitan Cites$45.6 Tribal Governments $20.0 Territories $4.5 Non-Entitlement Units of $19.5 Local Government Treasury expects to distribute these funds directly to each state, territorial, metropolitan city, county, and Tribal government. Local governments that are classified as non-entitlement units will receive this funding through their applicable state government. Treasury expects to provide further guidance on distributions to non-entitlement units next week. Local governments should expect to receive funds in two tranches, with 50% provided beginning in May 2021 and the balance delivered 12 months later. States that have experienced a net increase in the unemployment rate of more than 2 percentage points from February 2020 to the latest available data as of the date of certification will receive their full allocation of funds in a single payment; other states will receive funds in two equal tranches. Governments of U.S. territories will receive a single payment. Tribal governments will receive two payments, with the first payment available in May and the second payment, based on employment data, to be delivered in June 2021. USES OF FUNDING Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments with a substantial infusion of resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger, more equitable economy as the country recovers. Within the categories of eligible uses, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities. Recipients may use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to: 2 26 • Support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff; • Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector; • Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic; • Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors; and, • Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet. Within these overall categories, Treasury’s Interim Final Rule provides guidelines and principles for determining the types of programs and services that this funding can support, together with examples of allowable uses that recipients may consider. As described below, Treasury has also designed these provisions to take into consideration the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on those hardest-hit by the pandemic. 1. Supporting the public health response Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 continues to require an unprecedented public health response from state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide resources to meet these needs through the provision of care for those impacted by the virus and through services that address disparities in public health that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Recipients may use this funding to address a broad range of public health needs across COVID-19 mitigation, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and public health resources. Among other services, these funds can help support: • Services and programs to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including: Vaccination programsEnhancement of healthcare capacity, Medical expenses including alternative care facilities Testing Support for prevention, mitigation, or Contact tracing other services in congregate living Isolation or quarantine facilities and schools PPE purchases Enhancement of public health data Support for vulnerable populations to systems access medical or public health services Capital investments in public facilities to Public health surveillance (e.g., meet pandemic operational needs monitoring for variants) Ventilation improvements in key settings Enforcement of public health orders like healthcare facilities Public communication efforts 3 27 • Services to address behavioral healthcare needs exacerbated by the pandemic, including: Mental health treatment Crisis intervention Substance misuse treatment Services or outreach to promote access Other behavioral health services to health and social services Hotlines or warmlines • Payroll and covered benefits expenses for public health, healthcare, human services, public safety and similar employees, to the extent that they work on the COVID-19 response. For public health and safety workers, recipients can use these funds to cover the full payroll and covered benefits costs for employees or operating units or divisions primarily dedicated to the COVID-19 response. 2. Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency The COVID-19 public health emergency resulted in significant economic hardship for many Americans. As businesses closed, consumers stayed home, schools shifted to remote education, and travel declined precipitously, over 20 million jobs were lost between February and April 2020. Although many have since returned to work, as of April 2021, the economy remains more than 8 million jobs below its pre- pandemic peak, and more than 3 million workers have dropped out of the labor market altogether since February 2020. To help alleviate the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds enable eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to provide a wide range of assistance to individuals and households, small businesses, and impacted industries, in addition to enabling governments to rehire public sector staff and rebuild capacity. Among these uses include: • Delivering assistance to workers and families, including aid to unemployed workers and job training, as well as aid to households facing food, housing, or other financial insecurity. In addition, these funds can support survivor’s benefits for family members of COVID-19 victims. • Supporting small businesses, helping them to address financial challenges caused by the pandemic and to make investments in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation tactics, as well as to provide technical assistance. To achieve these goals, recipients may employ this funding to execute a broad array of loan, grant, in-kind assistance, and counseling programs to enable small businesses to rebound from the downturn. • Speeding the recovery of the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors, supporting industries that were particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 emergency and are just now beginning to mend. Similarly impacted sectors within a local area are also eligible for support. • Rebuilding public sector capacity, by rehiring public sector staff and replenishing unemployment insurance (UI) trust funds, in each case up to pre-pandemic levels. Recipients may also use this funding to build their internal capacity to successfully implement economic relief programs, with investments in data analysis, targeted outreach, technology infrastructure, and impact evaluations. 4 28 3. Serving the hardest-hit communities and families While the pandemic has affected communities across the country, it has disproportionately impacted low-income families and communities of color and has exacerbated systemic health and economic inequities. Low-income and socially vulnerable communities have experienced the most severe health impacts. For example, counties with high poverty rates also have the highest rates of infections and deaths, with 223 deaths per 100,000 compared to the U.S. average of 175 deaths per 100,000. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allow for a broad range of uses to address the disproportionate public health and economic impacts of the crisis on the hardest-hit communities, populations, and households. Eligible services include: • Addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health, through funding for community health workers, public benefits navigators, remediation of lead hazards, and community violence intervention programs; • Investments in housing and neighborhoods, such as services to address individuals experiencing homelessness, affordable housing development, housing vouchers, and residential counseling and housing navigation assistance to facilitate moves to neighborhoods with high economic opportunity; • Addressing educational disparities through new or expanded early learning services, providing additional resources to high-poverty school districts, and offering educational services like tutoring or afterschool programs as well as services to address social, emotional, and mental health needs; and, • Promoting healthy childhood environments, including new or expanded high quality childcare, home visiting programs for families with young children, and enhanced services for child welfare-involved families and foster youth. Governments may use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to support these additional services if they are provided: • within a Qualified Census Tract (a low-income area as designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development); • to families living in Qualified Census Tracts; • by a Tribal government; or, • to other populations, households, or geographic areas disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 4. Replacing lost public sector revenue State, local, territorial, and Tribal governments that are facing budget shortfalls may use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to avoid cuts to government services. With these additional resources, recipients can continue to provide valuable public services and ensure that fiscal austerity measures do not hamper the broader economic recovery. 5 29 Many state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments have experienced significant budget shortfalls, which can yield a devastating impact on their respective communities. Faced with budget shortfalls and pandemic-related uncertainty, state and local governments cut staff in all 50 states. These budget shortfalls and staff cuts are particularly problematic at present, as these entities are on the front lines of battling the COVID-19 pandemic and helping citizens weather the economic downturn. Recipients may use these funds to replace lost revenue. Treasury’s Interim Final Rule establishes a methodology that each recipient can use to calculate its reduction in revenue. Specifically, recipients will compute the extent of their reduction in revenue by comparing their actual revenue to an alternative representing what could have been expected to occur in the absence of the pandemic. Analysis of this expected trend begins with the last full fiscal year prior to the public health emergency and projects forward at either (a) the recipient’s average annual revenue growth over the three full fiscal years prior to the public health emergency or (b) 4.1%, the national average state and local revenue growth rate from 2015-18 (the latest available data). For administrative convenience, Treasury’s Interim Final Rule allows recipients to presume that any diminution in actual revenue relative to the expected trend is due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Upon receiving Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, recipients may immediately calculate the reduction in revenue that occurred in 2020 and deploy funds to address any shortfall. Recipients will have the opportunity to re-calculate revenue loss at several points through the program, supporting those entities that experience a lagged impact of the crisis on revenues. Importantly, once a shortfall in revenue is identified, recipients will have broad latitude to use this funding to support government services, up to this amount of lost revenue. 5. Providing premium pay for essential workers Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide resources for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to recognize the heroic contributions of essential workers. Since the start of the public health emergency, essential workers have put their physical well-being at risk to meet the daily needs of their communities and to provide care for others. Many of these essential workers have not received compensation for the heightened risks they have faced and continue to face. Recipients may use this funding to provide premium pay directly, or through grants to private employers, to a broad range of essential workers who must be physically present at their jobs including, among others: Staff at nursing homes, hospitals, Truck drivers, transit staff, and and home-care settings warehouse workers Workers at farms, food production Childcare workers, educators, and school facilities, grocery stores, and restaurants staff Janitors and sanitation workers Social service and human services staff Public health and safety staff Treasury’s Interim Final Rule emphasizes the need for recipients to prioritize premium pay for lower income workers. Premium pay that would increase a worker’s total pay above 150% of the greater of the state or county average annual wage requires specific justification for how it responds to the needs of these workers. 6 30 In addition, employers are both permitted and encouraged to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to offer retrospective premium pay, recognizing that many essential workers have not yet received additional compensation for work performed. Staff working for third-party contractors in eligible sectors are also eligible for premium pay. 6. Investing in water and sewer infrastructure Recipients may use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to invest in necessary improvements to their water and sewer infrastructures, including projects that address the impacts of climate change. Recipients may use this funding to invest in an array of drinking water infrastructure projects, such as building or upgrading facilities and transmission, distribution, and storage systems, including the replacement of lead service lines. Recipients may also use this funding to invest in wastewater infrastructure projects, including constructing publicly-owned treatment infrastructure, managing and treating stormwater or subsurface drainage water, facilitating water reuse, and securing publicly-owned treatment works. To help jurisdictions expedite their execution of these essential investments, Treasury’s Interim Final Rule aligns types of eligible projects with the wide range of projects that can be supported by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Recipients retain substantial flexibility to identify those water and sewer infrastructure investments that are of the highest priority for their own communities. Treasury’s Interim Final Rule also encourages recipients to ensure that water, sewer, and broadband projects use strong labor standards, including project labor agreements and community benefits agreements that offer wages at or above the prevailing rate and include local hire provisions. 7. Investing in broadband infrastructure The pandemic has underscored the importance of access to universal, high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband coverage. Over the past year, millions of Americans relied on the internet to participate in remote school, healthcare, and work. Yet, by at least one measure, 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband service or where existing services do not deliver minimally acceptable speeds. For millions of other Americans, the high cost of broadband access may place it out of reach. The American Rescue Plan aims to help remedy these shortfalls, providing recipients with flexibility to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to invest in broadband infrastructure. Recognizing the acute need in certain communities, Treasury’s Interim Final Rule provides that investments in broadband be made in areas that are currently unserved or underserved—in other words, lacking a wireline connection that reliably delivers minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Recipients are also encouraged to prioritize projects that achieve last-mile connections to households and businesses. Using these funds, recipients generally should build broadband infrastructure with modern technologies in mind, specifically those projects that deliver services offering reliable 100 Mbps download and 100 7 31 Mbps upload speeds, unless impracticable due to topography, geography, or financial cost. In addition, recipients are encouraged to pursue fiber optic investments. In view of the wide disparities in broadband access, assistance to households to support internet access or digital literacy is an eligible use to respond to the public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, as detailed above. 8. Ineligible Uses Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial resources to help eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments manage the public health and economic consequences of COVID-19. Recipients have considerable flexibility to use these funds to address the diverse needs of their communities. To ensure that these funds are used for their intended purposes, the American Rescue Plan Act also specifies two ineligible uses of funds: • States and territories may not use this funding to directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue due to a change in law from March 3, 2021 through the last day of the fiscal year in which the funds provided have been spent. The American Rescue Plan ensures that funds needed to provide vital services and support public employees, small businesses, and families struggling to make it through the pandemic are not used to fund reductions in net tax revenue. Treasury’s Interim Final Rule implements this requirement. If a state or territory cuts taxes, they must demonstrate how they paid for the tax cuts from sources other than Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds—by enacting policies to raise other sources of revenue, by cutting spending, or through higher revenue due to economic growth. If the funds provided have been used to offset tax cuts, the amount used for this purpose must be paid back to the Treasury. • No recipient may use this funding to make a deposit to a pension fund. Treasury’s Interim Final Rule defines a “deposit” as an extraordinary contribution to a pension fund for the purpose of reducing an accrued, unfunded liability. While pension deposits are prohibited, recipients may use funds for routine payroll contributions for employees whose wages and salaries are an eligible use of funds. Treasury’s Interim Final Rule identifies several other ineligible uses, including funding debt service, legal settlements or judgments, and deposits to rainy day funds or financial reserves. Further, general infrastructure spending is not covered as an eligible use outside of water, sewer, and broadband investments or above the amount allocated under the revenue loss provision. While the program offers broad flexibility to recipients to address local conditions, these restrictions will help ensure that funds are used to augment existing activities and address pressing needs. 8 32 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 2016-09-22 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Finance Committee Date: 2021-09-30 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Draft Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Ed Ross, Vice Chair Jeanne Borawski, Eric Burkhart, Geoffrey Coram, Jackie McCarthy, Joe McDonagh Members - Not Present: Marianne Downing, Andrew Mclauchlan, Mark Zarrow Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom, Business Administrator Jayne Wellman, Karen Herrick (remote), David DiBarri, Charles Lyons, Jay Picone, Carla Scuzzarella, Kevin Nigro Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: Chair Ed Ross called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Mr. Ross announced the passing of Liaison Reports: Ms. McCarts nothing discussed relative to Finance Committee, Ms. McCarthy noted that the General Manager made suggestions for noncarbon and renewable funds. Mr. Ross attended recent School Committee meetings, where they have begun discussing possible uses for ARPA funds. He also attended recent Select Board meetings, where they were discussing Town Meeting warrant articles. Review and Vote on Remaining Articles for October Special Town Meeting Town Manager Bob LeLacheur stated that the only remaining article that the Finance Committee has not voted on is Article 9 for the Right of First Refusal for land next to Meadow Brook. The issue is still open before the Select Board, and they will take the th matter up at their next meeting on October 12. A member of the Select Board was assigned to join negotiations offline, as another option by the proposed buyer came up. There are two options: the first option is for $2.25 million for all five parcels; and the second option is for one parcel for $500,000, which could be used as parking for, and an entrance to, the Town Forest. Though the Select Board discussed possibilities, there is not a definite plan for all five lots if purchased. The Committee discussed possible ways to fund either option including Free Cash, Stabilization Fund, and borrowing. But because Free Cash is not yet certified, and the Select Board has yet to vote on the matter, the Committee agreed to meet the evening of 33 Page | 1 th October 18 at 6:30 pm, ahead of the Special Town Meeting, to continue their discussion and make their recommendation. Review and Vote on Financial Articles for November Subsequent Town Meeting Article 7: Approve borrowing by the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District Representatives from the Northeast Metropolitan Vocational Technical School District were present including: Carla Scuzzarella, Principal of Northeast Metro Tech; Dave DiBarri, Superintendent; James Picone, Finance Director; Kevin Nigro, Project Manager from PMA Consultants; and Charles Lyons, Consultant. Superintendent DiBarri and Dr. Scuzzarella highlighted that the district was recently awarded a $3 million grant from the Cummings Foundation, from which they will receive $30,000 per year for 10 years. Five years ago, they received a $100,000 grant, for $25,000 over four years. With the funds, they were able to create a successful Saturday shop program for the district, which has become very popular with Reading students. Charles Lyons outlined the project to build a new school, which is in the MSBA stage of being funded. The district was awarded $141 million to help pay for the construction. However, MSBA is behind the times of recognizing actual costs. The total project costs are $317 million, which leaves $176 million in costs to the member communities. The district will borrow the rest of the funds needed, and repayment will be over a 30-year bond, for ayors in some member communities have co-signed a letter asking for $3 million from ARPA to help lessen the burden. The NEMVTS needs support from all 12 member communities to be able to do this project. If they get a negative vote, they will have to hold an election district-wide. Mr. LeLacheur urged the Committee to support the Article, and noted the Town can be creative with ways to repay without borrowing. Article 3: Amendments to the FY22-FY32 Capital Improvement Plan There is a request to add $400,000 in capital: $150,000 for road repairs, $150,000 for Recreation to start the Birch Meadow Master Plan design, and $100,000 for extra sidewalk repairs. Article 4: Amendments to FY22 Operating Budget There is just over $500,000 requested from Free Cash. Workers Compensation insurance came in $20,000 lower than budgeted, and Property and Casualty insurance came in $65,000 higher than budgeted. Both figures are new baselines, as insurance costs are expected to increase due to the pandemic. Public Safety wages increased $3,000, as Public Health hired a full-time Public Health Nurse. Health inspections are outsourced except for one full-time Health Inspector, so there is a $10,000 increase in expenses. Town Forest Committee is asking for $50,000 to do more thinning in the Town Forest. There is a $400,000 increase in the Water Enterprise Fund and $250,000 increase in the Sewer Enterprise fund. Article 5: Unpaid bills from prior fiscal years There is one bill for $52.19. On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Mr. Burkhart, the Finance Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve Article 3 as presented. 34 Page | 2 On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Mr. Coram, the Finance Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve Article 4 as written. On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Ms. McCarthy, the Finance Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve Article 5 as written. On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Mr. Burkhart, the Finance Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve Article 7 as written. Discussion on ARPA funds Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom recapped a Conference she attended, with a presentation about ARPA funds. She asked whether the water tower project would be an appropriate use of ARPA funds, and was told that the Federal Government would not push back on such a project, as it applies to water infrastructure, which is one of the key focuses of the plan. While communities have until 2026 to spend the money, it must be encumbered by December 31, 2024. A community conversation is still very useful, but it is ultimately up to the Select Board to decide how to spend the money. The Committee discussed the potential, but seemingly limited uses for the funds, and how to make their recommendation on the water tower article at Town Meeting, with the Select Board having final approval. A motion that allows flexibility to borrow or use other funds will be needed. Ms. Borawski noted that for projects that are not covered by ARPA, there is still healthy free cash. Mr. Ross and Ms. Borawski shared their plan for a working group to get community involvement in the ARPA process. Representatives from Town and School staff would be tasked with working with the community to identify what the needs are. They will have more information on the plan to share at the Financial Forum. Mr. LeLacheur noted that if a Committee is created, it may need to follow Open Meeting Law guidelines. He also reminded the Committee that the Permanent Building Committee can be a resource for the water tower, even though they did not want to take on the whole project. Karen Herrick noted that she spoke with Senator Lewis who said there might be additional state funds to communities, and schools are also receiving ESSER funds. Minutes for Approval: September 13, 2021 On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Mr. Coram, the Finance Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of September 13, 2021 as written. On a motion by Ms. Borawski, and seconded by Mr. Coram, the Finance Committee voted 6-0-0 to adjourn at 9:42 pm. 35 Page | 3