001Hey everybody. Okay, so this is the Board of Finance Special Budget Workshop, April 8th, 2026. Hopefully our last, but we'll see. Um, I'm going to start it off with the pledge of allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. As I was mentioning, I don't know if everybody heard because people were still joining. Kim had emailed saying she wasn't going to make it. Uh, you know, hopefully it was going to be a short meeting, didn't need her, etc. Um, so as I was saying to Liz, I just emailed her. I was looking at the last draft of the presentation and I think there's a discrepancy on two slides
002relating to RAM. We have slide four and slide 11. >> And so what I'm going to do, I'm going to share my screen. Did you want to go to the public speak first or >> Oh, my bad. Hang on. I I I keep forgetting to look at the agenda. I'm just like, let's go. My apologies. I looked at before. >> The only one I think we have uh we have Ron and Lisa. So, we'll go. Ron, do you have uh public speak? >> Yeah, I'm just uh listening in, guys. >> Appreciate it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh hey, Lisa, thank you for making it. >> You're welcome. Sorry, I'm finishing my dinner. >> Yeah, ma. Mji, eat eat. So, anyway, we were looking I was looking at the presentation as I was saying. Um,
003and I do think the RAM numbers are a little screwy on at least one of these slides. So, >> could very well be >> share my screen. >> Hey, while you're doing that, can you guys know like will they just lower our levy or are we to get a check? Do you guys know how that's to be handled yet? >> All right. So, I am super confused. Uh, I I remember we talked about how there was a meeting Monday night and I couldn't make it and Liz couldn't make it either. So, what I ended up doing, I was at the town hall today paying my taxes and then I popped in. I was talking to various people and Roberta had it up and said, "Here's the recording." And we kind of went through the the
004beginning bit where they were talking about the levy and and the offset and it just wasn't clear to me from that recording unless I just missed it. My specific question, and I've asked this before and I just I emailed Colin again today asking it again. What number will appear on the referendum? Because the offset is that's fine. We know we can plan for that. We know we don't need to tax, you know, as much. But I think personally that the the their full cost, the full cost levy, the the 4.2 2 million in change. That's what should be on the ballot because otherwise you're kind of hiding it. You know, you're kind of masking it with this. It would look like a reduction and it's not, >> right? >> Um, so I asked that. I
005don't see a response as yet. I mean, I didn't I don't I don't think I got that email off until 4 in the afternoon. So, you know, I'm not going to beat Colin up about that, but I just didn't get from that meeting clarity. >> I know what the number is. The number is clear. >> Yeah. But I was just wondering like how they going to handle it exactly is still to me to my mind a little fuzzy. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Uh okay folks let's um let's go through this thing. This is this is just it you know process slide. Same thing here. Um second Tuesday in May. We did. We verify that date. >> Yeah, >> I I did. Yeah, I called. >> The second Tuesday's is the 12th, isn't it? >>
006You're right. You know what? I fixed it on one. It's supposed to be the first. >> So, it's the first. Yeah. >> So, am I editing? Uh, >> you edit yours. I have this up. I think I pulled this up from the email. I saved yours to my drive, but you edit to first. >> Thank you. Yep. First. >> No problem. First. So now the first thing that comes to mind is this. So this number looks right to me. >> I can't remember if this I this might be right. I knew it was about 3%. I thought it was a little different than that, but bear with me. This number I believe is the correct number based on the levy chart. I said I emailed you that levy chart, right? >> Yep. >> So that's
007the number from there. >> Um you know what? I don't know if I relooked at that partic this particular slide. I looked at the other slide. So, hold on. >> It's 11 that I got a real issue with, but this one I just want to make sure it's right. I think that is the right number. And I think we just want to have that number firmly in our heads because a what we just talked about >> um >> that number is the total expenditures for RAM. >> The total and over levy, which is two components, right? You've got the you've got the ops and then you got to add the for our capital. You got to add them together. >> Oh, that might be where I went wrong. >> Yeah, >> I think this is
008the the number added together. I remember it being 4.25 something. >> So, I think that number is right. >> Yeah. >> So, that is correct. So, but if we go to 11 and I'll come back to the other slides, but I just want to go straight to the the issue that I saw this here. >> That's not the right number, I don't think. And that's why it's producing this odd change. >> Okay. So, the proposed >> also and this one too, this is off too. This is 399 or something. And this should be 42 blah blah blah blah, >> right? So it should be 42 >> 58 ahead. >> 4258178. >> Yeah, >> it should be 4258178 and 00. Is it 00 or are we doing pennies or no? >> I believe it's 0 >>
0090. Yeah, we said no pennies. >> Okay. And then >> and and then you know this number here is wrong too now because what you did I think you subtracted the the offset from the wrong number >> 255 or 289 whatever it is. >> Yeah. So if memory serves what these numbers should end up as this should end up as plus like 3% and this should end up like minus 3%. Instead of plus 75 and minus 5 and a half. >> I think you're probably right. Um >> because that's what we had and then I think you went through it again and you got mixed up a little bit. Yes, I did. I went >> I went through it again. >> Yeah. 39999302. >> So, which which number? The >> one below it. Just >>
010Yeah, the one taking away the 258. Yeah, that should be >> Yeah, these are both off and they're throwing off the percentage. >> Yeah. >> Can you Can you say that number again? 399. >> Sure. 3999302. >> 3999302. Okay. And then >> so Rob, why don't you put that other number above it? The right number. >> I'm going to >> Oh. >> Um I just, you know, this isn't the this isn't the real working draft since we're having I was keeping I was having since Liz had it. I was going to have her >> keep, you know, keep ownership for now. Uh her edits are the going to be the ones that matter. >> So there's no math in the chart there. You >> there's no math in the chart. This is a copy paste
011from a spreadsheet. You got to fix it on the Excel and then paste it back in. >> I got you. >> Okay. So then the increases would >> math out. >> These are these are just off. I mean they're just >> and then these will and then down here these will probably recalculate as well. >> Oh, so you're just going to put them in the this Excel sheet and then recopy that and put it in here. >> Yes. Copy it back over. Y >> I got you. Yeah, because you I don't think in PowerPoint you can make a 2XL thing. >> I don't think you can do it. Yeah. >> No. >> So, what what are those numbers like plus three and minus three? >> Yeah, roughly. I had it earlier. >> Yeah. 2.97. >>
012Yeah, this one's this one's like Yeah. >> And then minus 3.29. >> I know. We went over and over and over that. I can't believe that I got that wrong. >> You know, I did something like this earlier, too. It's like when you have multiple drafts, you know. >> Yes, that's the problem. Okay, so 4 million258178 and then three. Oh, I've got it right on here. I think I just said I think I copied the wrong one. So, the proposed without offset turns out to be 2.26. Is that right? >> No, it shouldn't be. It should be 2.97. Okay. >> What is the What do you have for the RAM levy number? So >> four. Oh, see I 4135 532 is what I have. >> What? >> 4135 532. >> I think that's >> that's
013really close. But >> that's Yeah. >> 4135 >> 532. And if that's the case, then that's going to recalculate. Damn it. Okay. Yep. >> So then this might recalculate. This might recalculate all the formulas. >> 4153 or 4135. >> I have 4135532. >> That's what's in the budget book. >> Oh, there you go. Sorry. >> So that makes it a 2.97% >> correct increase and then a negative 3.29. >> That sounds right. >> Okay, that's correct. And then total increase So, and all the formulas should hopefully once you put the right numbers in, right, all the formulas are in there in the Excel chart, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. So, does that do anything down here, Liz? >> Uh, let me see. Does it do anything? >> Because we if we change this,
014this, and this, does it change these, and therefore these? >> You know what? When we I think when we talked about it, we decided to not use that second line, but I can put it in. >> Yeah. I thought we decided Oops. Sorry. I thought we decided forget this. This this here is is a nonsense line. Yes. Because it's the offset. It's a oneshot deal. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So, the increase since 2021 equals I'm sorry, negative 969 633. Cool. Let me just >> Now, when you say 21 and I said 21, what I meant I think was 2020 >> beginning >> to 2021. All right. I just wanted to make sure because it it gets confusing. >> So, so it's D. Let me just make sure I'm doing this. >> Yeah, it's it's you
015know, it's this versus this. >> Make sure >> it's definitely a decrease. It's just a question whether it's that. I think this is right. But >> D29 minus total increase cell equals equals D29 minus Yeah, I think that's wrong. Okay. So the difference from the current proposed budget and the 2020 2021 number >> is 969 and that's 18.55%. >> Yeah. So that's what it'll look like once we've got this fixed. The only other one that needs to be looked at, Liz, is this here because we changed this number. So, this number here should recalculate. >> Assuming, of course, I have the right numbers in here. Remember, I went through Hebrin's budgets and pulled these. So, I hope they're I think they're right, but I hope they're right. >> Hold on. I wasn't looking at what
016you were >> Oh, okay. Sorry. The change percentage year to year. Can you just I just want to copy and paste this over right now so that as we move on to the next slide. >> So this is right. Okay. So slide 11 >> that 33 can't be right because the number's going down. >> Yeah. >> It's like it's like zero. >> Yeah. It's essentially it's going to be like a negative point. It's like I thought it was this or something like that. I just did it quick and I got 0.0035. >> So you call it zero. >> Yeah. Yeah. So what what is 0.035 >> that change >> the year the year-over-year change number right >> from 2425 to 2526 here in this column. Do you see what I'm highlighting? It's not like truly
017zero, but it's pretty close. >> Yeah, it's so close to zero. It's a rounding error. I mean, it's you get two. >> Oh, the 25 26. Let me see what >> it's like that. >> Yeah, let me see. >> Yeah. >> Um, actually mine comes out to 35%. >> So, Lisa, what number? Sorry, Lisa. What number do you have for 2425 actual levy? >> Um 2425. Hold on. 2425 Ram 4150106. Yeah. >> Yep. That's what we got. >> Okay. And 4135532. >> Let me double check here. 4135532. basela in front of the zero. >> Say like a part. >> Yeah. Right. Like >> Yeah. >> That's good. >> I realize what the problem is. I don't have um the uh calculation in there. It's just it was just a hard number. >> So that Oh,
018then it goes to still goes to 0.35%. Hm. >> I have 0.0035. >> Yeah, that would be right. >> Yeah, >> it might be off. There might be a decimal place issue here. >> I think that tilda zero. >> What was >> Yeah, it seems like it's so small though. I think like a tilda zero works because if we put zero, people are going to question why. But we're saying with the tilda, it's like approximately zero. It it is point Lisa's numbers right. So there's a there's a formula error in there. Liz, >> um, >> and it's producing formula. >> The formula. Okay. Okay. So my formula is 2025-26US >> minus 2425 >> divided by this >> divided divided by 24 and I get 0.35% >> yeah 0.35 >> percent 0.35% is the change percentage
019>> oh wait not Okay. Okay. I think that's actually probably right. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that's it. Yeah, that's it. That's it. That's right. >> That's the same as Yeah, >> fun with decimal places. Got it. Percentage. Yes, that's right. >> Yep. >> The other thing I did is I just stuck dollar signs up here. I I don't know. It just doesn't matter. But they weren't here. duck dollar signs where >> on in front of all these ram levy numbers just in the p the past numbers they didn't have so I just had them that it doesn't >> I don't know what the heck happened is what I'm looking at has doll I don't know what happened guys I'm sorry >> it's okay >> hey I I've definitely sent out things where I thought I
020fixed something and then like you caught it and >> try you know just let's tighten it up it's fine it's no big deal um so I'm gonna Are we good with this slide for now like for you're going to you're going to fix it >> right now. >> Yep. >> And then what I think we can do is if you can fix it while we're talking and email it around again, I'll pull up that one >> and then we can see it. >> Oh, >> but I was going to go back while you're doing that. >> Um this the budget snapshot. I think this is all correct. Oh, that's the other issue. This thing here. So, okay. Did you see the email I forwarded you from Jody about the their spreadsheet error disc? >> I
021did. And I went back and forth and back and forth. Should we fix it? Should we not fix it? Um, you know, the difference makes that's that's really up to you whether we should actually fix them based on >> I'd like to fix it since we're fixing stuff and and get it right and then we're all on the same page and then we don't have I don't want to have an argument over two grand or whatever it was, >> right? >> Um, >> what do we fix it to? Do we fix it what their budget actually adds up to or what has been reported? >> What was what was actually passed by the town as their budget? Um, >> what what is the issue? It didn't it >> Oh, not sorry. Not this. It's not
022it's not this number. This is the number they're requesting. Sorry. Let me go to >> Yeah, it goes to the previous year. >> Yes, it's it's it's this one that we're showing a slight difference between this what the school had as their number and what Liz had calculated as their number based on a school spreadsheet. Um, but I know that I think the budget number, the actual budget that was passed is slightly different than that number right there. And it's just it's 2,000 bucks. I think it's 4565 something or other >> instead of four 563. And I just think like they're sorting out where where they went wrong. But >> yeah. Um, so actually the 2024 2025 and the 2025 2026 numbers >> Mhm. >> um don't add up correctly in the budget that we
023received from them in the PDF that they that we received from them. So just for everyation list took that and put it took that PDF and dumped it into an Excel chart and did the sum formula >> and they didn't didn't match the totals >> right >> amount >> right so the difference the dollar difference >> um okay so when you add up all the columns let me just say it this way when you add up um the 20 25 206 six adopted budget. When you actually do the math through an Excel spreadsheet, it adds up to 4 million 563 659.60, >> which is the number you have on this slide. >> Yep. But in the PDF bud in the PDF budget that we received the bottom line totaled in their total was4 million565 and60.
024So it's a difference of 210. Now, the question I'm trying to remember now is what did what did we have in the budget document last year >> that was actually passed. >> I looked at that. Uh did I save it? Did I? >> My figure is 456532 and that's what's in QuickBooks. That's all I'm telling you is that's what was put in for a budget integration >> 532 even. >> That's all I should zero. Yeah, >> you should always go zero. Round it up to this. >> Yep. >> Well, okay, whatever. So, >> so >> I'd be tempted to use that number >> even though I I like you're not wrong about the the addition, but um >> I think it's confusing and I think it's such a small difference, but I >> Wait a
025minute. My my amount is a little I was reading the last digits from below. It's It's close to that. It's Hold on. 4565462. >> This >> Yep. >> I'm getting confused. >> 4 million 565462. >> Yeah, that was that's what I have in QuickBooks. Yeah. >> Is that what we passed? >> Um, we'd have to go on to >> Hang on. I'm going to do that right now. I'm just not going to share my screen while I do it. >> Yep. And so to make things even more confusing, the same thing The same problem happened in the 2425 adopted. That number also added up incorrectly. So that amount is off by $1,600. All right. So budget going to referendum 125 is the last document on the town website. Oh, and it just gave me an
026error. won't open the file. Okay. >> Oh, I was just I was just in it earlier. Did you scroll down? >> Hang on. It's opening this time. I just had to back up and try again. >> Right. But did you notice that there's a whole bunch of different dates of budgets on that? >> Yeah. >> 20. Okay. >> I did. There's a whole list of them. And what I picked was the the latest date. >> Okay. >> The one that went to referendum uh on the 27th of May, which I believe was the one that passed. The number that's in here is 456546090. >> Yeah. And mine rounded to 462. So that's what I have too. >> So So that was for the 2526. >> That's what we actually passed. Now the that's in here
027as you know the past year number is four. >> what >> which is must be an actual >> you know that's what they have >> yes no cuz no that's what they had that was I think their budget because my actual my actual for 2425 is only 4 million46948 >> hang on a bit here Yeah. So, so the number that you just read, um, >> Yep. >> Rob, >> the 3 million 34 >> the four million >> 348. It's the exact number that's in your chart. >> Yeah, that's that's exactly what they have. >> Yeah. I used their number and I um probably should have gone back and used their number as well for 25 26. I mean, I don't know. >> I I mean, I I prefer so there's no discrepancy for between things,
028but it's not um shoot. It's, you know, again, either way, it's such a small change, but I I would go with this number, which is what was in there. Um I understand that Lisa is off by a buck 40. Um but this is what was in there that we I think we actually passed. I don't know quite what happened with the $200 here, you know, or or rather not $200, you know, $1,800 >> 2,000 whatever. Okay. >> So, I would put this >> and that's in slide slide number what? >> This is in slide nine. And that will change the percentage increase and it'll propagate down. Hopefully, all the formulas are in the spec sheet. >> Yeah, they are. Um it should >> okay so all right so to to review >> okay so we're
029keeping the 2425 number and then for the 2526 it's going to be 4 million >> 565 46 >> 462 >> and 60 >> 461 should be because it's 0.90 so >> I'll round it so it'll 4 5 565 461. >> Okay. >> Because there's ends in 90 cents. So >> Sure. >> I would think rolling it up to one. >> Sure. >> Okay. So that is good. And um yeah, that's good. that >> and so this should >> um that should be 5%. That's exactly right. It should be 5%. because that's what we that's what we did remember. So okay and then the question is whether the cumulative numbers are right. >> So I get a cumulative 1699% is that oh okay 16 99% that would make sense >> and then 26. >> Yep. 16.99.
030So 17 >> 17%. Yep. >> Yep. And then D. >> Is that one? >> Is that cumulative number still correct? >> We just I just double checked it on my I just double checked the math. Yes, >> it's good. Okay. >> Yep. So, it's 1091, right? 10.91. >> And that'll match them and then it's not confusing. >> Um, >> and then Yep. Then everything else stays. >> I haven't I haven't verified the last number yet either. Um, >> so D Okay. Increase if passed. If passed equals >> D12 minus D3 / G 29.76. >> Yep. Correct. All right. I just want to quickly check one thing then. >> So back on slide Four. The percent change number 499991. Is that right? 499991. The change and the percentage were and the Oh, and this here too.
031We got to No, this is right. So, it's just these two numbers. We need to verify now because yours you you had 96 in here >> and we just altered it. So it's 91 and I just want to make sure this number is therefore correct. >> Okay. >> Yes. Are are we are we good? >> Verifying the RAM number and all that stuff. >> No, I was I I'm going back to slide four. >> Yep. >> The AES BOE, the end of our BOE because we changed to 10.91%, right? Because we just altered the the numbers down there instead of 10.96 because you had 10.96 year. I typed in 10.91, but I just want to double check this raw dollar figure. The $499.99 140 is accurate. >> That's the change >> last year this year.
032>> So, oh, good point. Okay. I should really be doing this upstairs in the office so I can use multiple uh >> screens. This is >> monitors. >> Yeah. Uh okay. So we went from AES where is it? >> 63651. >> Okay. So AES right. So the proposed is now 10.91. >> See I get 498 190 >> 63. Hold on. 651. >> Um, can you can you go back to the other screen that shows last year for one second? Thank you. Okay. 4981 190. Is that what you got? >> That's what I got, too. I'm sorry. I've got to do this math over. I don't know what happened to intercom RAM AES. All right. >> Then we you know I think this chart should be fine. This is town operating capital. I think all these
033numbers are fine. That seems right. Got the right levy number in. We fixed this slide already. So, this is helpful. I just saved this with all my changes. So, we could always compare. Um, rim total budget history. This is their big time. This is their big boy budget. This is the full budget. Okay. Yeah, >> on that. Can you go back a slide? We're talking about the sources. So, state and federal All right, never mind. I was going to say state and federal grants. Does that like include the road money that we get from the state at just >> I don't think that our revenue number has ever included town aid road. >> Yeah, that's what I was saying. You could also mention it there or put it there or something. I don't know. >>
034I you know I if people ask about road spending I'll I'll mention like look what you see in our capital budget we add 385 that's not the sum total of um what road work we do. The problem is I don't know off I don't recall off the top of my head what how much we get in town aid road a year. >> It's a little opaque to me >> so it's a little hard for me to talk about it intelligently. Uh obviously if I could be provided that number then I'd be happy to talk about it but we've never we've for some reason we've never had it in the budget >> should be in there and it's funny that we don't know that number like >> I think that's something I want to work on
035>> I want to work on that >> special funds that I haven't been able to reconcile reconcile yet so I hate to give a number that is incorrect. >> Yeah. Um, it is is recorded here much differently than I have ever recorded it. So, I'm not confident giving that number either because I don't I don't understand what they did, why they did it. So, I don't want to give out a false number. We just got in 123,000, but did we get another one last fall, which would be 246,000? I don't know. I haven't had time to go back and look. So, >> yeah. I don't know how many installments we get, >> right? And if they're the same, even if they're different amounts or two of the same amount, I I can't tell from what's
036been recorded, so I have to go in and do some research. >> Sorry about that. I just I can't I can't get there. >> So, the last slides here, guys, are you know, between Liz and I, we kind of worked out like explaining to people what this means to them. This is a snapshot of okay this is our mill rate calculation like taken from that chart that we use but then you know an explanation of okay the grand list for motor vehicles therefore this is how much you can raise from motor vehicles total this is this then leaves how much we have to raise from other taxation and we have this as our >> real estate >> list for real estate. >> And then so that we did a real estate assessment value. You know,
037if your house is valued this, this this this, here's what you paid last year, here's what you would go ahead and pay this year if we passed this budget, and here's your difference. Um, and then with the auto assessment, oh, this is the other thing. Do you remember this was this looks weird because it's 7,600. Why? Why? These are nice round numbers and why is this year? Yeah, that's my car. I was I was verifying and making sure it's right. So, and as Liz helpfully said, that's Rob's beater. So, we can take that off. I think >> I took the name off, though. I didn't say I took the wrong beater off, >> but I I just think it looks weird. >> Take it out. >> Yeah. I mean, it was just for me. It
038was me trying to verify. How do I delete a a a row in this? Can I delete a row? >> It doesn't matter because I'm going to do it on the on the master here anyway. >> Yeah. >> Okay, that's fine. I'm just saving my own version just so I have it. Um but you could you will have the master. But I would take that out because it was weird. >> Leave it in there. People might have cars that are le, you know, less than $10,000. >> Right. If we were going to leave it in there, I' i'd change it, >> you know, I'd change it to make it, you know, because this is just weird. Why 76? >> Yeah, 500's nice. Maybe make make it a $5,500 car. >> I don't know. I don't
039know who's got that. But yeah, sure. I don't care. It's just this one sticks out because it's a weird number in comparison to these. And it was just me saying, "All right, am I doing this right? Does this check out?" And I looked up my taxes. Yep, that's what I pay. D. That's what I owe this year. So, it was just >> it was a change to 55. >> I'll change it to 5,500. >> I mean, either do I would say either do 5,000 or 7500. You know what I mean? because it's nice. Like we have 10, we have 20, we have 30. I don't know who's got a $5,000 assessment on their car, but if you did. >> Okay. All right. So 7500. >> Yeah, let's do 7500. >> All right. >> And so
040it'll be it'll be slightly different. It'll be, you know, 230 something blah blah blah. As you can see, the differences here are poultry. It's the the the meat, of course, is in your house. And then that's it. That's just the >> That's good. >> Okay. >> So, we'll fix this. >> Yep. >> If we go back to the budget snapshot. >> Sure. Hang on. >> That dollar number does change because the dollar the the difference changes to four. Shoot. Where is it? >> I had 498190. >> 498190. >> Is that right? Is that what you get? >> Yep. >> All right. I I think this thing is I think we've sorted it out. The budget breakdown these this chart shouldn't be altered by any of what we just did because this is a this year
041only and using this year's requests. So, this should all be fine. >> We don't have the totals there, but we have them on like every other slide, so whatever. Um, yeah. I mean, honestly, I think this is good to go now with those alterations. Um, you know, the only other thing I was considering this line here, you know, maintenance is not a driver. I, you know, if it's you're just maintaining, that's not driving an increase. That was the thing I I kind of said I I might well, you know, pull that. >> So, here's here's was my thought about that. Um, my thought about that is we know that a lot of uh we know the COVID funding is going away. and they and probably every other school in Connecticut um have counted on uh
042that money for special education needs and probably other things. So that's my interpretation of what that means. Maintenance of special education costs despite the fact that the fund funding is going away. Um >> yeah, you still have the obligation whether or not you get help with it. Okay. So, we I'm happy to leave it to I I was just like maintenance. Okay. I think I think the word maintenance is what was messing with my head. That's cool. Um this year, I'm just putting it for my own notification. This is my understanding of the grant, the specific grants that were lost. >> One is lost. I think the 45,000 for the psychologist is flatout lost. It just expires at the end of June. And then this, my understanding is there was a reduction. I don't know
043the order of magnitude of that because I wasn't I didn't have time to get that information. And I I suspect it's not as as much, but I I can't I don't know off the top of my head. I think our other numbers add up nicely. Did we have a town? Hang on. Ram budget levy. We didn't really have a driver, you know, page for the town budget, did we? >> That's okay. We can talk about it. I was going to ask that >> because it's mostly it's mostly salary increases. >> Yeah. Except for there's a $44,000 increase because of the 21% insurance. And it's >> mentioned it's the insurance. It is. It absolutely is. It's the insurance and it's raises >> raises benefits and the healthcare insurance increase that that AS is dealing with as
044well. >> Right. >> You probably should put a slide in there. I mean, if you show the school, you should probably show the right Yeah, I took we had a slide. >> I did too. There was one the other day, wasn't there? >> Yeah, we should get that back. Um, >> I'll find it. >> Those would be my three bullets. My three bullets would be salary increases, um, salary and benefits SL salary/benefits or salary increases, benefit costs. Uh, and then you could either do it as a separate line or a parenthetical with benefits saying um 21% healthcare increase same as with AA as affects town too or something like that. >> Yeah, >> those are the drivers as far as I could tell. I I don't think there's much else in there that's worth a
045bullet point. We've we made some little tweaks here or there to this that the other. Um >> so I little tweaks. >> Oh yeah. Hi Louise. >> Yeah. Um, I still think we should put um the superintendent salary in there as a driver because it's not a 3% increase, it's 11% increase. And yes, it is contract, but does the public know? I mean, they're going to figure, okay, contract is 3%. >> And they're going to figure, okay, she's getting 3%, too. So, I really think, you know, we're ne we're doing a uh a disjust uh what's the word? >> Disservice. >> A disservice. >> Disservice for not Yeah. to the public for not just putting Nepallet on there. >> And you know, my disagreement with that is just the order of magnitude. It's $10,000. There
046are multiple things in the town budget that we're not singling out a particular employee and saying they're getting 10 grand. I mean, >> this is not this is employee, but it's a superintendent and >> that's different than like, >> you know, when we when we went back and forth with with Lisa type of situation. That's different because well, I already wrote everything on that. I just feel pretty strong about having it on there because you're blindfolding the public. >> I don't I I don't believe we're blindfolding them at all. It's in the BOE budget. It's been discussed repeatedly. They've had they came back to it at repeated meetings. I mean, and I think it's been all around town, but I I really don't think it's being hidden. It's just to me, it just doesn't make
047the the cut. Everything else on this list is is more money than that. So, that's why I did it the way I did it. Um, that's my take. Oh, by the way, we got to fix this one right here. 10.91 on this here >> on this slide. This is >> BOE. >> Yeah. Okay. >> We changed. We fixed that. >> Can you still hear? >> So, that's my take. I understand your take, Louise. I mean, we've kind of gone back and forth on it. Um, >> is it going to be in the BOE presentation where they go through all the different things that we >> have? I don't think they're going to be able to have a presentation. I was just texting back and forth with Caitlyn tonight. She wanted to do a presentation, but
048nothing got put on the town website. She had contacted I guess she had been talking to Jeff McGuire and thought things something was going to be sent out about it to do a 6:30 start time so they could do a thing and none of that ever happened and now we're 24 hours out. So, I think they're going to be there and they can answer questions um from the public, but I don't think they're gonna there's no setup for them to do a presentation. >> The public isn't going to see >> Yeah. The public's not going to see the line by line of the BOE then. >> Well, they wanted to print their budget out for handouts. That's the other thing they were asking about today. >> And I want to try to make sure that
049that happens at town hall tomorrow that we print out a bunch of those. Does anyone else on the board feel the same as I do or is it just me? >> Well, Kim was with you. She's not here tonight, but >> she agreement. >> Yeah, I'm with you as well. Um >> I I think there's other issues that I have surrounding the way that all happened. Um >> whether or not >> Heather, how do you feel, Heather? I was going to say I I don't agree only because someone else on the town is getting the same dollar amount budget and we we like that and we agree with that so we're not calling it out. But this one some of us don't like or we don't like so we are calling it out. That doesn't
050seem fair. >> Well based on what the other person did it's it's way under what she should be getting in the first place. >> I agree totally different situation. >> See this is the thing is way under what she should be getting. We threw enough money into that, >> right? I agree. I just feel like we can't be calling out one and not the other. >> Can I can I just suggest >> before we come back to this issue, just before I forget about it, just apologies, my brain's ping ponging. Um, Liz, when we add a slide for the bullet points for the budget drivers for the town budget, >> I would put it between six and seven >> or between seven and eight. >> Oh, okay. between seven and >> actually yeah between six
051and seven or seven and eight because I'm trying to find the best spot to say okay where's >> the the town budget driver we because we do if you look at where the AAS board of education budget >> Yep. It's there. Actually, we could put it we could put it Where's our Andover? We could put it between five and six >> because we have town operating capital below it. We have the numbers below it. So, it could be between five and six, >> right? So, it should it'll be the new slide number. >> The idea being like it's the same format of we explained the budget drivers for this, here's the numbers, then we explain the budget drivers for AES, here's the numbers. So, it's consistent. >> Yep. So it'll go right after budget breakdown
052the with the chart >> right right after the pie chart that would be I think that's the place to put it >> salary increases >> and Ron I see you got your hand up give me a moment here um let me just get through this bit and I'll call on you >> I think we're not at public speak right now >> I know we're not so I think there's public speak at the end so I'll get to you >> so I just wanted to say to Louise I totally agree that the other person should be getting at maybe possibly more than what they're getting. So, I don't disagree with that. >> Right. >> And and I'll just add to that, but a lot of people make the case that Val is underpaid, too. She's the
053lowest paid superintendent in the in this school in the state. I mean, >> right. >> We can't we can't call out one and not the other because we agree one and not the other or whatever. >> That's part of >> that's that's sort of my take and and as well, but it wasn't my main driver. My main my main explanation for why I did it the way I did it is just that it doesn't make the cut in terms of you know raw dollar value. >> So I mean the fifth grade teacher what's that 50 60 grand in salary probably plus benefits the psychologist you know that's it's 45 really you know it's we have the 90,000 for the psychologist but it's really you know it's the the loss of the $45,000 grant all of
054these are multiples of 10,000. So that's why I did what I did. I think that's the right call and I don't want to set up I I really don't want a situation where we call out a particular yes she's the superintendent but a particular person and then what is it we're going to go through we're going to pick at every individual salary increase on the town side too to you know get into >> they deserve to do that so that's why I did it the way I did it that's my that's my take um I'll let you guys finish what you guys want to discuss uh and then hopey We can >> We haven't heard from Nick yet. >> I was just wondering is that even kind of our spot to comment? It seems like
055we elected the BOE to essentially make decisions on that behalf. >> We It's their call to to put it in their budget that we could we could highlight. This is our this is ourformational slide. So, no, it's not that we can't put something on there. I just don't think it's I I just don't want to do it for the reasons already given. But I think, you know, there's nothing preventing us from like they they're the ones who made the call in at in their meeting to hand out that raise and put that in their budget. That's their take. Uh but it's the same thing for any part of their budget that they've approved. It doesn't mean that it can't be listed in a bullet point. That, you know, that's that's not how I would think
056of it. >> You you said they they are handing out their budget line by line so people can >> I want to I want to get that as a handout. Let me just double check something. Um because I thought I was getting um >> Yeah, it should be passed out. Usually there's copies at the front of the room of >> Yeah, hang on. I was talking to Caitlyn and here it is. Um Caitlyn was texting me tonight asking if we have copies of the school budget printed for people for reference. >> Um you know, for months we've been saying we'd have a Q&A da da da. So, tomorrow, one of the things I need to make sure we do is print out an appropriate number of the school budget document um so that we can
057hand it out as a handout. I need to get down to town hall and get that done. >> So, would that be a line by line >> or would that be like a summary? >> Um I I'd have to look at what they sent us again. Um hang on a minute. Yeah, it would probably be the the PDF that they sent us. I'm guessing >> it's on their website, right? Because that's where I got the figures from was on their website. >> They had also sent us something. Oh, hang on a minute. I just got to find uh there's been a lot of emails. >> We used to have the school print them for us and then bringing them to the meeting. I hate to have you do the work and town hall do the
058work when it's their budget and they want to present. Well, I thought I thought they always said that they they printed it at the time. I now I'm confused as to who printed what. I Well, they I mean I don't know what I mean. You weren't here last year. I I don't recall. >> I don't recall because I didn't run it. Um >> No, I'm just saying where I worked before they always provided. >> Oh, where you where you worked before? Yeah. I don't budget. It was color and it was, you know, bound together and all this stuff with all these explanations, but we just do black and white. So, um, but the school office provided it so that we didn't have to print it. >> There it is. Jodianne sent us a Yeah, the
059the the chart on the 7th yesterday. So, let me save this to my drive. >> Can you share that, Rob? >> One moment. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to get it saved and then uh Okay, sorry. The thing is ah too many things and people see um >> hang on. >> All right. Um I'm just looking for this looks pretty line by line. Just looking for superintendent. Hang on. Well, it let you control F. >> So, my problem was >> it it should be populated fully. The last column should be fully populated. So, it's transparent to the voters. >> This year they just did the subtotals. >> Yes. >> If I had done this chart, I would have done it that way. You're right. >> So, it doesn't reflect 11%. >> What? It >>
060it doesn't reflect the 11% for the superintendent, >> right? >> It just it's kind of buried into the calculation of all of them. >> So the three Yeah. 3% is going to bring down >> a lot. The 11%. >> 3%. What do you mean? >> Well, all the other it's >> Oh, you found it. >> It's It's here, >> right? And it's 5,000. Oh, I think what it was is didn't they give her It was It was multiple years. Is it's a multi-year contract, I think. >> Yes. So, this year it's 5,000. >> Uh I think that's supposed to be, >> but I thought it was for some reason I thought she was at 90 and and was going up from >> I I don't know if that's next year. >> That's what I thought,
061too. >> Wait a minute. I thought everything they sent over showed 90 to 100. >> Yes. I I Is that an older one you're looking at? >> This is literally She emailed this yesterday. Jod emailed these yesterday. >> 61 2025. >> 2025 2026. It's not the 20. >> It's supposed to be 2627. That's the wrong >> 26 recommended. Oh, okay. This is This is last year's. >> Yeah. This be 26 27 because it is 100,000. >> Yep. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. I see what happened here. This was an email that I pulled from looking at um when we were trying to find out that $2,000 discrepancy that Liz were talking about earlier. That's what happened. My fault, guys. >> All right. >> Can I just make a comment on on that >> only
062because well, what I find is you were worried about the percentages. What I find is like if someone has a very small budget of $800, even a $100 change looks like they're getting, you know, a 10%. It's best if you could put the difference, the decrease or increase, and then the percentage because something that might say 7%age of last year for one row might only be $25 and it might be 7% for another row of $2500. So, by not putting that increase and decrease in there, it's kind of not really showing what they're going up and down. >> It's just giving you a percentage. It depends on the size of that row >> to what that percentage is. That's a good point, Lisa. >> So, it's kind of hard because people look at, "Oh my
063gosh, that's 10%." Well, it might only be $10 because total bill was $100. >> So, if you just put a percentage, it kind of doesn't tell people where the real money is. Like in ours, I picked up right away and said, "Oh, 44,000 went up 21% went up 44,000." But you can't do that in this budget. You don't know how much that percentage is because there's no dollars for an increase decrease. >> I pulled that budget. I pulled the budget from their website. Um, so we can see this year's. Just give me a moment. >> Yeah, I agree with Lisa though. That's a great way for people to get hung up. >> Yeah. And it might be to their benefit even at some points because, you know, people are saying, "Oh, it went up 10%."
064Well, like I said, that money, if you have a $100 line item, that's only $10. So, you really can't complain about a 10% increase if it's only $10. This is the wrong >> that's like what Liz was saying this whole that whole last column should be filled in >> right but well >> yes or no >> what what Lisa is saying Heather is that you see a quick percentage that only represents a few dollars >> right it should be dollar the dollars and the percentages should be >> dollars and percentage >> can you maybe Rob ask them if >> I found it >> they're gonna they they should print out their budget and could they have two columns at the end one with the dollar difference and this percentage difference populated throughout the document. >>
065I I can ask I mean at this at this this is the wrong one. Hang on. I had it up. >> They have they probably haven't printed them yet. >> I literally had it up. Hang on. >> No. >> Oh, I see. Oh, it's it only has percentage. Yeah, they should have a row for dollars for sure. >> They should have a dollars and percentages. >> There it here it is. >> If they want help, I can just forward the I can just forward the Excel spreadsheet I sent. Yeah, to help us. I'm willing to help. >> We're willing to help. >> I could sit on a call with someone in two seconds and we could go through this. >> It would be so fast and easy in Excel. It'd be >> So, is that
066last column that last column change? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. Subtotal. They've >> subtotal wasn't in last year's. >> This is this year. This year has the subtotals, but again, it's only subtotal. >> It's only totals. Yeah. >> Not through. It's not throughout the whole thing. It's just the subtotals, but there there it is. >> If they could just populate that all the way, that would be really helpful. >> That would be helpful. And an Excel spreadshe take minutes to do that to Nick's point, right? >> You drag it down. Yep. >> It's just Yeah, >> I already did it. I got it right here. >> You got it. >> Even quicker if you steal this formula. >> Uploaded it. and she'll have it. >> I just don't know if there's there's time for uh
067you know, Jodianne to do that tomorrow and then and then for us to print it. But I I agree with you guys. It's it's a nice >> to have the the both the percentage and the raw dollar value in in every field. >> Yeah, >> I think that is a nice >> It doesn't take any time to do it. >> It takes a second. >> I mean, for them to print it, even if they printed it from their admin system, it's probably a snap. Otherwise, I mean, I could share this Excel spreadsheet and it would be done. It's just they have to copy it anyway. >> I am in the spreadsheet now though, too. And I see they did reflect the salary correctly. >> Yeah, it's in there, right? It's just I had to get
068the right budget. That was that was, you know, my mistake. >> I was I was racing. All right, I have this saved now. Um, so I >> I updated I updated the drivers, too. I found the the what you call it the slide from the other the original and this >> Oh, for the Andover, the town the town. >> Yeah. And the drivers that we had were increased legal retainer fees due to anticipated easement projects, >> contractual slashstandard salary increases, additional funding for um for potential new admin assistant for town administrator, additional funding for assistant to community and senior center director. uh increased funding for community and senior center programs and decreased capital 2.92%. >> Oh, that's right. So, those are much smaller drivers, you know, on the town side. I mean, just I mean,
069I don't know if there are really bigger ones to to add than that, but those Yeah. Okay. Some of the >> the insurance one to that. >> Yeah, we got to add the insurance. >> Yeah, the insurance isn't in there. >> You know, healthcare cost increase. Um, you know, plus 21%. Um, all right. So, how do you want me to Okay, so number one, I could ask, you know, the board of edjodval for a version of this chart with, you know, with all the with all the fields filled in, uh, instead of just the subtotals and then work on getting them printed out. I was kicking around how many printouts we might want to have available for the meeting. Uh, I was asking people down a town hall today, how many do we normally do?
070Somebody threw out a number of 30 and I thought that was low. >> That's way too low. >> People share. People could share like if they're couples, but that still seems low to me. I think we >> like 100 would be needed. No, >> I I would think at least 100, right? >> That's what we used to do with 100. >> Yeah. Better to have too many than too little. And even at 100, I think that I think that's probably not going to be enough. I mean, we should tell each family only to take one, obviously. >> Yeah, definitely. We want people to share. >> Yeah. >> People usually do. I mean, >> but that's why we had the school do their own printing, too. And then the town didn't have to do 200. >>
071Well, that's true. They should do their own. >> They should do their own. >> I just a question what I don't know what what they've got for printers, but I'll ask them. >> I'm sure they I know they have printers. I just I don't know why in the past. I know that in the past or at least I think that in the past that it's the basically all the stuff for the for the town budget meeting was printed out of town hall. But I'll ask about that. So my takeaways from this is to talk to them about this chart, see if we can get it a little get a little more details in there propagated throughout it. It's just pull up your Excel and, you know, fill in the fields, which as we've discussed is
072is a five minute issue, and then repdf it, I guess, and get it printed out. Uh, there's five pages. It's not too bad. It's not too bad. I think they've got a different number in here. This is the discussion we had, but um, >> yeah. >> So, I'll talk to send that to you. Would they do would they even entertain that possibility or >> Sure. I mean, if you want to send it to me, I can I can at least dangle that as an option. Like, hey, you know, we did we did it ourselves. You know, Liz did it and you know, we think it's right. >> Use my name. Don't use my name. >> This your work, Rob. Well, I had some help with it. Uh anyway, uh no, really I'll I'll offer it.
073So, I'll try to work on that. I'm also going to try to get um one of the documents I was thinking of printing out as a handout is Lisa and I worked on it a little bit uh yesterday. The the sum what I would call our sort of taxation summary spreadsheet. The one that used to be a tab on our budget spreadsheet, the one with the mill rate calculation and the two raised by taxation calculations. That's a one pager, right? It struck me as a good snapshot handout. So, I was thinking about bringing out a bunch of those. Wait, say that again. I'm sorry. I I just so the the Excel chart >> that it's it's entitled like mill rate calculation or something like that. But it has >> Oh, yes. >> the taxation. It's
074a one-page document. >> It's got what we're raising by taxation and stuff about the mill rate. >> It's a little confusing because of course that page has a combined mill rate, but we can talk about that. >> We explain it at that in in depth in our presentation. I was thinking as a handout that might be useful >> because it's a snapshot. >> Yep. >> So, I have a I have a physical copy of it and I have a copy of it. You know, Lisa's got a copy of it and you know, so if I'm in there at town hall tomorrow getting things printed out, that's that could be one of them. >> Kate already did it. >> Oh, Kate already did it. >> Yeah, it's at the end of the packet and I think
075it's posted at the end of the packet, too. >> End of the budget book because you said you wanted it yesterday, so we went with it. >> Okay. >> Bless her. We need to bring her flowers. >> She's amazing. >> A big check today. But >> of course, this morning, Rob, I called her at 8:15. I said, "Don't print it yet. I have to look at that lap last page because I thought I put in the page that I printed for me with my other calculations." And I said, "Nope. Go ahead, Kate. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. Go ahead." Okay. So, we've got that. Um, and then Liz, you had talked about, we had talked about information, theformational kind of where to look up certain things, slides. What are what are we doing with that?
076>> Yep. I sent that to you uh separately as handouts. How to find how to find where um how to find their assessment. >> Yeah. like those. Did you want to pass those out or >> I think those are those are nice to have. Um where All right, hang on a minute. Latest and greatest. No, that's not that. It was an earlier email than the >> It was in one of the recent ones. I mean, I can send it again if you need me to. >> Hang on. I'm just checking. I'm just looking at my emails. I'm looking for an attachment. That's all >> because there's a there's been a fair bit of chatter. I don't I don't see I don't I'm sorry. I don't see a separate >> I can resend them. >> Okay.
077Did you send them? If you just if you type in my name, you might have gotten my personal email. Maybe >> that could happen sometimes. >> Yeah, >> that was the sheet that had like the town on it and you showed where to look it up. That I saw that. >> Yeah. >> I don't I don't know why I'm not finding it. That's weird. >> Why? What? >> I'll you know, I'll just send it again. >> Yeah. Thanks. Send it again. I'm going to make notes here to print out. Okay. >> Child. So there were two, right? One for one for assessment, one for taxes. >> Yep, I found it. Right. Great. >> Great. Okay. So, there's that. >> So, I can I can forward them to uh Kate. I mean, so she has them
078and I I can also go I'll have my laptop with me. I'll go town hall and between the two of us, we'll make sure that those get done because those are useful. So, I have a question in regards to the hearing. If someone were to make a motion to reduce a budget, are we going to vote or not vote on it? >> The motions at the town budget, I mean, people, we vote. We don't vote like the the whole >> I thought that Yeah. I thought last year because of the charter, I thought it was the thing. What the charter is is that at the end of the town budget meeting, it's going to referendum. But >> yeah, that I know >> if a motion were to pass at town meeting, my understanding is that
079would take effect >> and then go to referendum that way. >> Absolutely. Anybody can make a motion. It'll be seconded, discussed, and voted on at that meeting. the difference between the the the process that started last year, the charter change. It used to be town meeting could just reject it and send it back. Now it's going to go on a referendum one way or the other, but with the caveat that if a motion to cut something passes, that goes in. >> It passes. >> Okay. >> Can only go down, right? You can't go up. >> Can't go up. And we we're going to address that to the public, right? >> Always. We always say that. >> Hang on. >> Is that in the slide presentation? >> I don't remember if it's in the slide, but
080Wally always says it when he's making it. >> Uh I'll uh I'll probably mention it at the end, you know. >> Yeah, I would. >> It's a charter thing. It's a charter thing. You can >> you can make a motion to cut something. This is this is not a place where you can make a motion to increase something. >> It's just straight from the charter. Um, Rob, did we want to talk about that BAA situation? >> That's right. We wanted to talk about that again. We wanted to circle back on that 300 bucks we cut from the >> $320. >> We do this. We change all our numbers again. Um, >> no, we don't. No, we No, we do not. Nope. We I We can take $320 from something else. >> Wasn't it 300 even?
081>> It's 320, I believe. I think it's 320. Pretty sure. I'm just gonna pull up my my chart. But um hold on. >> That's the mill rate. That's the RAM offset board budget prelim 24 I think is the last 324 is the last one I had. So they had asked for 300 or 320, whatever it is. Uh to be able to look up like a VIN lookup, right, for people's auto evaluation assessments. >> Yes. and we got talked into cutting that. Um, but Liz, remind me, we were talking about it and we kind of, the two of us kind of were like, "Wait a minute, is that the right answer?" So, we wanted to raise it again. >> So, we kind of felt like they need this to be able to do their job and
082it costs them money if they want to look it up and they only have like a limited number. And I think the town's opinion is that if a person disagrees with um their valuation of their car, they need to come and show the proof. And so basically the BAA is just going to say, "Okay, well, they can't prove them wrong because they can't get access to the system to do it." Um so their opinion would be though, they'll just have to pass it along. Um, and I don't know, $320 seems pretty pretty pittency to me, and I think we should allow them to have the $320 and we take $320 out of either the rec commission or the garden. The rec commission budget is up kind of pretty high this year. >> I'm sorry, Lyn.
083The what? The what budget? >> The the recck commission. either the rec commission commission recreation >> or the garden or the garden. >> Um and just wonder what you guys thought about that. >> I kind of agree that they should have the proper tools and it was explained to us that supposedly is the burden's on the person, right? The homeowner or the auto owner is how it was explained to us. But a board that's doing a review should have the proper tools >> to do the job. And for $320, to your point, Liz, it's $320. Not going to move to and and we could take it easily from another budget like you said. So >> I almost want to write him a check and just say, "Here, go get what you need, >> you know."
084But I mean, $320. >> I think it's 384 if I remember right. I thought the amount was 384. >> 384. >> Sorry. All right. I'm gonna I'm looking back at the older at older spreadsheets. I'll see if I can find where we cut where we actually >> and instead of changing all the numbers. I would agree, Liz, let's just take it from one budget and move it to another if we're going to do that. I guess we have to have a motion to do that, right? >> Yeah, we're going to have to this is going to if if we want to do this, we'll have to move and we'll have to move to take it from here to there and so forth. Just give me a moment, guys. I'm trying to find I'm backing up
085into early March to find >> the the chart where I saved our cut. You are correct. 380. Ah, >> I would have bet money on 320. >> And I was out here. I thought 300. So guess what? >> 380 is the number that they had requested. >> Wasn't there another issue though? >> Did cut the garden slightly for their request? >> Yeah. >> Um, wasn't there another >> Wasn't there another issue? >> Not a huge cut, but we did do a little bit of a cut there already. Um, >> hey guys. >> Yeah. >> Wasn't there also an issue though raised that the assessor has that software and the board of assistant appeals should be able to use it or something like that? >> And he will not let them. He will not let them.
086>> Nope. He will not let them. >> That's crazy. That's just >> I know. It's ridiculous. >> It's like >> I don't know what's I don't really know what's going on there. Um, >> you cannot It It's one of those positions that you can't even fight. So, it's not even worth it. >> Well, like again, for $380, is it worth the fight? I guess. But, >> I mean, it's really just a it's really, you know, can we have $380 so we can, you know, when somebody comes in a town hall, we can help them out and show them the information. And, you know, my just my general approach to things would be sure, here, let me look that up for you. You know, that's just how I would approach it if it were me. So,
087I would do it. My only question is to make this balance out like where I mean I honestly if we had more time I I might even say just stick 380 back in. It's it's such a small number. >> Just pull it from somewhere else. No >> want to find so we don't have to redo all our math. >> Just pull it from somewhere else. So I I would I would take it out of a community garden because I believe their the um seeds was like in the 300 something and they were given seeds, donated seeds. So they I would take it out of that. >> Why doesn't somebody make a motion complete motion? >> Wait, I didn't I thought I thought the seeds I agree with, but then I thought they didn't take it
088out of their budget or or that they already did. I'm sorry. That they already did. They were donated to C2 donated. >> Great. But I thought they already took that number out of their budget, but they didn't. >> No, I thought $300 in their budget for that. >> I know. That's a good spot to take it from. >> We had they had requested originally 37.85 and we cut that down to 3560 um which was last year's number. Um just FYI now there's al there's another increase in in the budget for programs it says um >> for the rec committee >> commission that's rec commission sorry >> yep >> um registration they they had an answer for this concert and registration was $1,400 and 900 for registration for something acronym I don't know and additional concert
089$500 so you Now, if at this point like we we had we had gotten the community garden to a zero increase. If we cut them uh additionally, then we would be actually cutting their budget. Just just to be clear so everybody understands what we're doing. Um, >> can I just have a question on so when they present their budget like any of the departments and then we went through it, when did they when did they find out what we like that we agreed with their budget or we don't or like do they already think we >> Well, they could be on any of these calls, Heather, or they'll find out when the budget passes. Okay. All right. Nothing's official. Nothing's official until the budget passes anyway. Right. Okay. I'd rather cut from the garden than
090the wreck because I think the recck department actually accommodates more of the public than the garden. >> That's true. >> I'm just thinking if there's any way we could distribute this, but okay. I mean that if you want to do a one for one, I mean I'm not going to >> I mean the up is up $1,400. That's I mean it seems like a big >> Yeah, there was there were two items there. It was a $500 and a $900 justification for that. Yeah, >> for the concert something. >> Concert was 500 bucks and then registration uh for again there's an acronym that I don't recall. I'm sorry. I don't >> I know. WSC. I don't remember what that is. >> I remember Yeah, I remember that too. >> There it is. W IC. Um,
091so I don't want to mess with that because that sounds like it's backed up and I know we talked about it. I just, you know, we I Yeah. So, all right. Rather than I mean, it's $380 and we're spending a fair bit of time here. So, do we want to just somebody want to make a motion and we'll figure it out and if I feel bad about it later, I'll donate something to community garden. >> There you go. I'll make a motion to cut the community bark garden by $380 and to fund the BAA line for the software they need. >> I'll second it. >> Yeah, let me just So, just so everybody understands, it's a cut to 603870 reccomission. Oh, sorry. 603890 community garden proposed by Liz, seconded by Bill with transferring that 380,
092decreasing that line by $380 and then t taking it up to let me find it so we have it for the notes. >> It's line it 4155. >> It's 155 question mark because it doesn't exist. So now, do you want us to reprint those 50 budgets that we already printed because of this change? >> Oh no. >> Oh god. >> Oh no. >> Well, I didn't think there we didn't think there were going to be changes tonight. And if people people have already come into town hall and asked for a copy of the budget because they didn't want to print it. >> All right. You know what then? We're going to leave it. >> We just So we just we just tell them at the beginning of the uh at the meeting that there was
093a slight change. So, if you've if you've already printed, you've already have a copy of the budget, make this change. >> Could you do that? >> We just do that. >> We could >> part of me is like >> if we could figure out what two pages we might have to change and insert them, we could do that. But again, that's just I don't know. >> That's it's a real pain. >> Yeah. It needs more makes more sense that we just to Liz's point just tell people that change to this number. Change this line item to this number. >> Make another note on the It's already on the website. It's on the town website, too, I believe. So, we'd have to change that one, too. >> H. Okay. >> You said there Wait a second.
094You said 50 of them are already printed. Yes. >> So, what if I come in tomorrow and just make hand change notes on those 50? I don't like >> Oh my gosh. You don't want to do that, Liz. >> You get a cramp. It's It's 50. It's 50 pages. Two numbers. Two little numbers. >> I can help you. >> I'm kidding. >> I mean, so that we don't have to reprint them is what I'm saying. >> Yeah. We don't want to waste money. >> So, well, I'll be at the meeting, but I'm not there at the town hall. So, if you want to talk to I don't I'm not sure, Kate. I don't know. >> Right. Or or we simply make a little announcement or um or print off a notice for the front of
095those pages and say, "Please note a change this change to these two lines." >> Could type that up. >> Yep. >> And then just attach that to those that are already printed >> like an addendum. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that works. I think right. >> I like I like that word. >> Sure. Good word, Louise. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um the motion on the floor is to reduce 603-890 community garden by $380 and to increase line 115- well question mark because it doesn't exist right now by $380 for DMV lookup access for the BAA. Liz motioned, bill seconded. We've discussed. Does anybody have anything further on this motion or should we vote? There's nothing further. I'll take a vote. Bill, >> yay. >> Liz, >> yes. >> Heather, >> uh, yay. >> Nick,
096>> yes. >> And I, too. Oh, Louise, >> yes. >> And I'll vote yes as well. That's 6. >> One favor. Yeah. >> I'll I'll give my mayor a culpas next time I see the community garden, folks. Um, okay. So, that's done and we'll one way or another sort it out tomorrow uh so that people aren't confused. Um I think that was the only change that we contemplated tonight, Liz, right? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> When we met. >> So, so it's 4155- We don't know, right? >> Yeah. >> 4155- >> for what? The community garden, Liz? Or for what? No. No. for the court of assessment appeals. >> Okay, that's way down the bottom. I can get it for you. >> It's it's >> 15-336. It would be >> sorry. 4155 is the overall
097>> thing and then underneath that it's 155- Well, >> 335 for training. So, it would have to be to be determined because we don't have it yet, >> right? >> Yeah. Can we just make it Oh, TBD. It's got to be TBD, not >> have to search for it. >> That was how it was in the budget document when we first got it. >> Yep. >> That's right. Okay. Um, so Liz, you'll send around once you've completed your edits, you'll send around the presentation again. >> Yep. >> Uh, the final. >> Yep. >> Awesome. And yeah, do do resend me thoseformational slides because I don't know why in the world I can't find them in my email. I apologize, but I just can't find them. >> I will try and talk to AAS folks tonight,
098tomorrow regarding adding a little more information to the budget as we discussed and getting those printed. Um, do we have anything further or can we move on to public speak? I can let finally let Ron talk. >> I see we move on to public speak. >> His arm must be killing him. >> His AI arm. >> All right. I'm gonna I'm gonna go ahead and do that then. Sorry, Ron, for all that waiting. >> No, not a problem. Not a problem. Great job with this. The only thing I was going to agree with was that what Louise was saying too that but I can see now from what you're showing on the BOE that does show her salary in there. Everything should be transparent so people can make their own decisions when they're there. Please
099get them to fill out the two lines because I also agree, Louise, that the price the the the percentage versus the amount of money can be a big difference sometimes. Okay. So that way people have a full layout of it and and I think great job taking it from the garden people and giving what they need to have people justify their car tax. But that was my only thing is I I it should be posted even if the other per even if you had to put the person that's underpaid in in the town budget and know and say this is an increase and this is why and then had Valerie's on there. But since Valerie's salary is written out in there and what it is, people can actually see it in theirs just so everything
100is just transparent to everybody in town. That's important that people understand. That's >> great job. Great job and hard work everybody. Thank you for doing that. >> Welcome. >> So yeah, I'll work on getting the the the raw dollar value and the percentage values, you know, throughout that chart instead of just subtotal. I'll ask them if we can get ahead and do that. And Liz, if you have a your own chart where you've done it already, you want to email that to me, I'll take it. And uh >> Y, >> we'll say, you know, we actually already did it. If you want ours. >> Yep. I will get that to you. >> Uh Joanne is in the audience, too. >> Yeah, Joan is >> Oh, Joanne, I'm sorry. When did you join? I didn't see
101you. Uh hi. Public speak. >> Hello. I joined like five minutes in. I think I was logging into the wrong meeting and just sitting in there. Just a couple quick things, guys, because this year's highly unusual with there's never usually a budget workshop meeting so close to the town meeting. We, you know, we've usually it definitely was needed, but I think that's kind of to give courtesy to the town office staff and like you're going to be requesting that the board of ed make copies and everything just to be cognizant of asking everybody to make the copies. Um, another thing we didn't get a town mailer this year and I'm thinking that goes along. So, that's highly disappointing. I didn't want to bring it up because I'm thinking about it because I know, but we
102have >> it just goes along with everything I've been saying with all the new people and maybe different positions. Um I don't know who took care of that like if that's a town clerk thing that we make sure because I remember them saying we have to finalize this because we need five days for the mailer and all those kind of things were running through my head but I don't want to bring up everything in public speak and I I figured that was happening. So I don't think anybody got a mailer this time but I heard that it was advertised in the paper so the town meeting can be legitim legitimate. Yeah. >> Um, and then just a quick thing that I was going to bring up. Um, uh, sorry, let me just look at my
103note real quick. Oh, I hope it sounds like some of the copies are already made, but you guys did do a few since you were talking about salary items in general and some of the lines you kept extra things in that probably weren't contractual. I had sent one email. So I hope when you have time you get to put notes in those things just so that you all remember like when you're giving someone a salary but you kept I had thought in the admin assistant >> some of those changes were contractual some of those were not contractual and some of them were just consolidation of positions and lines we we consolidated the stipen into >> right you you kept it in so it might just be helpful to know you're not married to that one
104line but you did keep the stipen in it could be the same person that's hired as the admin assistant and just gets additional money. So, you could have done something with that stipen, but you kept it in. So, since there's more money in that line, maybe just put a little note there. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um, one last thing, you did put the I remember when I did an assessment appeal thing, it was on the homeowner, wasn't in this town. You had to kind of get all the info. You had to go down to the town hall. You had to find the stuff. So great that they get what they need for their job, but I'm just saying they could probably do the same thing that I did and look through the town records
105if they had to verify things. >> Real estate, the real estate, well, the assessment is pretty opaque, I think, for a car. The real estate assessment, you know, you can log indivision appraisal. That's one of the slides that Liz and I talked about making. And I think the other thing with challenging I've never done it, but if you challenge your house assessment, I think you have to have your independent appraisal done. >> You have to pay for that out of your pocket. So it's a whole >> I think you have to come in with a few um you have to bring in examples. You have to print other examples where you compare your house to theirs. >> I think try to fight your own like little battle of trying to again wasn't in this town
106but >> lower your taxes which look raises everybody else's honestly. So uh look yeah if if that's >> Yeah. Um >> yeah I'm I'm good. You know I just wanted to mention those couple things. Um >> you know good luck with everything. Thank you. Thank you. >> Very good. >> Okay. Um, very good. So, uh, if there's nothing further, I mean, I'm going to try, just FYI, guys, I'm going to try to get in there in the school gym, you know, early. I don't know how early, but well beforehand. make sure that we between my laptop and Liz when you get over you get there your laptop which is definitely in better condition you know to do the presentation have it all set up to our to our uh satisfaction so I'll I'll probably try
107to be there you know well well ahead of time um and I'll probably be running around the afternoon town hall etc um so if anybody wants to you know thinks of something wants to text me whatever the issue with the flyer with not getting a mailer. You know, it's fun something funny. It's one of the things that Caitlyn was texting me about earlier tonight, like we didn't get a mailer. What's going on this year? So, yeah, we're a little discombobulated. It's the reality. >> I think that's the lack of an Eric. >> Exactly. >> It wasn't you, Rob. Don't take it on the board of finances. >> I'm not I'm not saying >> the town hall, you know, people that have been there have to think about it. >> It's what we were just talking
108about. This >> I just didn't want you guys to take on more. You've done a great job. you know, you can't remember everything. >> Yeah. >> I'm just clarifying. So, okay. If we're good and everybody's kind of I've got some to-dos, Liz has some to-dos. Um, but I think we're good. I mean, do we have a motion to adjurnn? Motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> We both do. >> Bill moves. Louise, you seconding? >> I'll second. >> All right. Very good. I'm going to go reverse order. Louise. Uh yes, but first uh Liz, if you need help with the town hall tomorrow, if you're going to do anything, let me know. >> Okay. Thanks. I'll be around. >> Yeah, I will. I'm I'm taking a half day in the afternoon. I have to go
109to work in the morning. So, I'll be there probably early afternoon, midafternoon. >> Okay. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Yeah. Sorry, mute was stuck. Uh yes. Okay, Heather. >> Yeah, Liz. Please. >> Yes. That's what I thought. Bill. >> Yes. >> And I'm a yes. Very good. We adjourn at 8:34.