Lanesborough Reviews DPW, COA, Ambulance Budgets
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board and Finance Committee had a detailed look last week at the needs for the fiscal 2027 budget from the Parks Commission, ambulance, Council on Aging, and the Department of Public Works.
All were asked what it would mean if they were asked to level fund their budgets.
The Council on Aging Director Lorna Gayle said she had room to reduce her budget and her hours. Her spending plan budgets $54,187 and $38,000 for transportation.
She could cut $300 in office supplies but did request an increase to add a chair tai chi class, adding $3,500 for the instructor.
Gayle she believed she take transportation driver line down to the 2024 level of $30,000; the current projection is a little over $35,000. When others were nervous about losing a driver, Gayle assured them he would not leave as he loves his job.
When asked about participation rates she said it varies but the COA has a good turn out and the yoga class is so full it's capped.
"The participation rates in the classes vary, but we've had sometimes three people because it's snowing, but then we have 22 people, and we're cramped in here," she said. "The line dancing class one started out there were like five of us tap dancing away."
She asked if they would be willing to reduce her hours from 26 to 18 hours a week. working from 8 to 12:30.
"The reason I would like to do that is that it is not the same Council on Aging it was when I started,
Gayle said. "I think that in terms of town and money and all the things that we need, I would rather that my money could be used for something else. ...
"I love my job but I have to admit that it's been a struggle since COVID. People have changed, and seniors are younger seniors, and they just have a different mentality."
When asked if volunteers could be an extension, she said it's been difficult to find them. Her three volunteers have been doing it a long time and are all in their 80s.
Department of Public Works Director Nate Fenwick has only been in the position for about five months and said he is unsure where he could make cuts.
The DPW is fully staffed with four full-time workers. He was asked about overtime and if the staff was enough.
"This winter was a little above average. And that's a tough thing to try to budget, the winter road part, we never know what we're in for. You know, we could be way over one year, way under another year," he said. "So to look at any of the add ons, it's all that is based on mainly like salt or overtime, what it could be next year."
He said he can't control the price of salt and trucking and fuel.
"All that stuff affects especially the winter roads part of the budget," he said. "I can't tell them, 'No, I need you to haul the sand to me for this price, because that's all we have."
He was asked to project scenarios, like for seasonal staffing, to see if it would cost less.
Finance Committee member Kristen Tool also asked if his contract can be reworded because it currently states his first 100 hours of overtime are not paid but the next 100 are and the budget does not accurately represent the overtime money in regards to his salary.
Fenwick said if he could look into hiring a contractor instead of using overtime with his staff to try and reduce the overtime budgets.
The DPW was also paid by the Baker Hill Road District around $144,000, but Fenwick said if it is dissolved, he won't need that money. He said he will review and decrease the expenses that included the Baker Hill Road District, which he believes were "padded."
Fenwick also agreed to take a look at the line for parts and supplies that went from $19,000 to $44,000, and another expenses line which jumped from $1,500 to $4,000, neither of which he thinks needs to be that high.
The Recreation Committee budget has gone down around 18 percent from the past two years, according to member Tom Voisin, and has shifted money for needs like the pavilion that's rusting. The baseball program increased slightly as they were able to add more leagues.
The committee was asked to take a look at different prices for portable toilets.
Emergency Medical Services Director Jen Weber requested an increase in her salary to $91,000; this year's salary was around $67,000.
Some in the audience thought it was too much and she was closely questioned by officials.
Weber said the budget is misleading as before there was a stipend line she took out.
"We used to run on a stipend, which was for any hours that were not staffed. Because I was up to 82 percent of working the overnights, I actually made $82,000 last year, public record. So it's not as a significant of the increase, if that is your thinking," she said. "And you can see right from the get on the enterprise budget, that the stipend line is gone, that $56,000 that came out. I don't work 40 hours a week. I would like to, my typical two-week is about 140 hours, if something has to be done above and beyond, or if it's not covered, then I've always done that."
While her salary was discussed by the audience, Weber noted that her salary comes from a formal contract negotiation and is a part of the enterprise fund.
Her total budget asks for $475,000, whereas this fiscal year was $284,000. She did say she believes she might be able to save $50,000 shifting hours to not have as much overtime but is not sure yet.
The enterprise budget is $234,100. The money has already been raised through user fees and no taxpayer money will go into this, which most will be reserved to help build a new ambulance.
The need for a 24/7 service questioned and Weber was asked to find out what it would cost to contract with another service.
Tags: fiscal 2027, lanesborough_budget,
