Westborough Advisory Finance Committee Minutes of Meeting #10 of FY22 October 7, 2021
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Westborough Advisory Finance Committee
Minutes of Meeting #10 of FY22
October 7, 2021
Members Present: M. Barretti (Chair), W. Leslie (Vice Chair), B. Blumberg (joined 7:06),
M. Board (departed 8:13), A. Bradley, T. Dolan, Jr., P. Huegel, H. Rauch.
Members Not Present: Z. Siddiqui.
Also Present: Police Chief Jeffrey Lourie (departed 7:28). Fire Chief Patrick Purcell (departed 7:43),
Deputy Fire Chief Jason Ferschke (joined 7:22, departed 7:43),
Recreation Director Jenn Kirkland (joined 7:06, departed 7:52).
Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, no in-person attendance by members of the public will be permitted for entirely
REMOTE meetings, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time,
via technological means, on Westborough TV, Verizon Channel 28 or Charter Channel 192, or on
www.youtube.com/WestboroughTV. However, in the event we are unable to do so despite best efforts, we will post on the Town
of Westborough’s website an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings, as soon as
possible after the meeting.
Chair Barretti called this Remote meeting of the Westborough AFC to order at 7:01 PM.
Article Discussion: #7 Police Lieutenant and & #8 Police Vehicle:
Police Chief Lourie had sent documents on the topics and provided insight and information on
both articles and then replied to the Committee questions.
Administrative Lieutenant Position:
• POST and body camera requirements are big new requirements.
• Camera redactions need to be supervisor above front line, which in WPD is Lieutenant.
• Additional needs audit requests, and record and reporting e.g., trainings, certification,
accreditation, injuries.
• Imperative it is a Lieutenant. Plans to promote Sgt. Mike Daniels.
• Provides evening shift supervision and backup.
Electric Vehicle:
• Small four door SUV - First electric certified as Police vehicle by Michigan Police test.
• Electric car- good at acceleration for traffic stops.
• Try out on command staff and see if appropriate for patrol.
• Cars ordered in May still not here. Expectation is more than 7-month lead-time.
• Police vehicles idle a lot – electric cars are off during this time- expects this will extend
life of vehicle over gas vehicles.
• Police vehicles when old go to other departments or sell –e.g., Building inspector.
• Charger can charge two vehicles at a time.
• Comparison cost to gas SUV – gas does not include hybrid =$5k more than shown.
Article Discussion: #13 Fire Dept. Software
Chair Barretti mentioned the letter from a resident received with information and questions
on the article. Chief Purcell and Deputy Chief Ferschke addressed the letter and provided
insight into the decision to choose the First Due Software. Chief acknowledged a mistake in
Page 1 of 6the article description – the omission of the phrase “to use efficiently” after “it is not intended
for use by fire departments and therefore difficult”. While the IMC website (now Central
Square) mentions support of Fire that was the only reference to Fire he found on the site.
• The Deputy at the Select Board meeting outlined fire department needs. IMC does not
meet all the needs by itself.
• Chief has called multiple towns that use the IMC software for fire and found they use
additional software, as IMC does not meet all their needs.
o E.g., Avon also uses BRYX & Firehouse, Wellesley also uses Bryx & Station Smarts.
• Proposed First Due software
o Internet Cloud Based- No server/backup costs (IMC is local server based).
o Improved cyber security.
o Lower down time due to upgrades.
o Preplanning- integration with other town software (building, planning).
o Community engagement (site files).
• Allows unlimited licenses so can use on mobile on IPAD and cellphone.
• Software investigation and decision made with a team including IT department.
• The multi-town regional dispatch may or may not happen and is not likely in any case
for several to 5 years.
o One abutting community has First Due and three abutting communities looking
at First Due. (Potential towns for regional dispatch)
Articles Discussion 9, 10, and 11 (Recreation Department):
Mr. Rauch reiterated his concern with longer-term (2-3) year ability of the country club to
continue to be self-funding including capital equipment. Is this too soon to use reserves?
Ms. Kirkland stated that:
• FY21 ended with $401.8k certified in CC Enterprise fund.
• In June ATM, we could only estimate $500k of FY22 revenue due to the transition to
town owned, but now the estimated revenues can include the full $653.2k plus $11k
Credit Card Fees.
• Article 9 (153k) and Article 10 ($11k) would come out of this year (FY22) earnings and
not from enterprise reserve.
• Article 11 pump would use $50k from reserve so leaves $350k in CC Enterprise fund.
• She believes with $350k in retained earnings we will conservatively have enough to
cover operating budget in next several years. Golf Pro has additional ideas for
promotion and increasing revenue.
• Capital projects are now submitted into capital planning committee.
Article Discussion /Vote:
Committee Votes on Proposed Article Recommendations:
Chair Barretti, with reference to Version 8 (final) ATM Warrant, led a discussion and vote of
recommendations to Town Meeting on the following seven articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 22.
All other article recommendations (1-6, 12, 14-21) were voted at the October 4 AFC meeting.
Summary sheet of all article voting is at end of meeting minutes (page 6).
Page 2 of 6Article 7: FY22 Police Dept. Budget Adjustment- Add Lieutenant and Expense [Police]:
Motion to recommend town raise and appropriate $79,027 for increasing the Police
Salary/Wages budget and $700 for increasing the Police Expense budget.
Motion/Second: H. Rauch/ B. Blumberg, In Favor 8-0-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Board, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Article 8: Police Department Vehicle [Police]:
Motion to recommend the transfer $70,882 from free cash for purchasing an electric police
vehicle as stated in the warrant. Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/H. Rauch.
Discussion on the merits of the proposed electric vehicle for police use and requirement of
‘electric’ in the motion. Change of the actual motion to exclude electric need to do on Town
Meeting floor. AFC can, however, make any recommendation it wishes in our motion.
A motion to amend the original motion proffered as motion to amend our recommendation
of the transfer $70,882 from free cash for the purpose as stated in the warrant by removal of
the word “electric” e.g., ‘vehicle’ instead of ‘electric vehicle’.
Amend by remove ‘electric’ Motion/Second: H. Rauch/A. Bradley defeated 3-5-0.
Yes: Bradley, Huegel, Rauch.
No: Blumberg, Board, Dolan, Leslie, Barretti.
Vote on original motion (as written in warrant) passed In Favor 4-3-1.
Yes: Blumberg, Board, Leslie, Barretti.
No: Bradley, Dolan, Huegel.
Abstain: Rauch.
Article 9: FY22 Golf Course Budget Adjustment- Funding Source [Recreation]:
Motion to recommend the change of funding source of Article 2 May 15, 2021, ATM FY22
Operating Budgets pursuant to $500,000 appropriated from enterprise revenues and
$153,178 from Tax Levy for a total FY22 CC budget of $653,178 to operate the CC Enterprise,
to, instead appropriate the full sum of $653,178 from enterprise revenues and nothing from
the tax levy for a total budget of $653,178.
Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/A. Bradley, In Favor 7-1-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Board, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Barretti.
No: Rauch.
Article 10: FY22 Golf Course Budget Adjustment- Credit Card Fees [Recreation]:
Motion to recommend raise and appropriate through the Country Club Enterprise fund of
$11,000 for increasing the FY22 Golf Course Expense budget.
Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/H. Rauch, In Favor 8-0-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Board, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Page 3 of 6Article 11: FY22 Golf Course Budget Adjustment- Pump [Recreation]:
Motion to recommend transfer from Country Club Retained Earnings of $50,000 for purpose
of replacing the water pump system at the golf course.
Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/A. Bradley, In Favor 8-0-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Board, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Article 13: Fire Department and Dispatch Software [Fire]:
Motion to recommend transfer from free cash of $33,000 for the purpose of purchasing and
installing a fire department and dispatch software.
Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/H. Rauch, In Favor 8-0-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Board, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Article 22: Acceptance of Trail Easement [Select Board]:
Motion to recommend the town votes to authorizes the Select Board to acquire, by gift, a trail
easement from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as written in the warrant. Some
discussion followed on the easement.
Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/A. Bradley, In Favor 7-0-1.
Yes: Board, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Abstain: Blumberg.
Review Report and Recommendations for town meeting draft
Chair Barretti, with reference to the revised R&R “AFC Message to Town Voters” he
distributed by email, led a discussion of the changes since previous draft and of the
document as whole. In addition to minor grammar, changes include:
• Recognize AFC suggestion and support of Grant Supervisor position
• Indicate total requested dollar amount for all articles in this warrant
• Clarify wording on total increase to tax of average family home.
• Add paragraph on OPEB need.
• Include Climate Action Plan
Feedback from committee during meeting:
• Indicate the amount of increase from articles in this meeting ($27) vs just the $359
whole amount for FY22.
• Recap sheet from Leah? - Chair will email to members.
• Climate Action Plan cost- use “may” instead of “will”.
• Remove “somewhat” after some in Pulte revenue.
• Thanks to the chair for an excellent draft
Motion to accept the R&R document with minor revisions by the Chair and his designee.
Motion/Second: B. Blumberg/H. Rauch, In Favor 7-0-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Page 4 of 6Liaison Reports:
• Mr. Bradley, liaison to school building committee, reported that the Fales School is on
target schedule for opening in November. There will be open houses scheduled.
• Chair Barretti reported there are openings on two committees.
o Senior/Disabled Taxation Relief Committee
Requires a member from AFC.
o Senior/Disabled Taxation Aid Committee
Looking for one citizen member (AFC not required).
Future Draft Agendas:
• Fall Town Meeting Monday night October 18 at 7PM- members need to arrive at least
15 minutes early so we can call our meeting to order.
• Oct 21- proposed meeting to discuss approval of OPEB Policy. Selectmen to get update
on 12th and vote on 26th.
• ARPA discussion meeting(s) in November to review requests. Mr. Rauch would like to
know our authority advice vs decision. Process still being decided and is under
discussion.
Public Reminders:
• Please attend Fall Town Meeting Monday night October 18 at 7PM in High School.
Minutes of Prior AFC Meetings:
On a motion duly made and seconded (B. Blumberg/T. Dolan) to accept the minutes of FY22
Meeting #9 of October 4, 2021, approved without discussion 7-0-0.
Yes: Blumberg, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Adjournment:
After a motion duly made and seconded (B. Blumberg/H. Rauch) to adjourn approved without
discussion 7-0-0 at 8:43 PM.
Yes: Blumberg, Bradley, Dolan, Huegel, Leslie, Rauch, Barretti.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter Leslie
Page 5 of 6Scheduled Ready to
Voted
Article Title Proponent Amount Funding Source Date Voted
Meeting Date Vote Y/N/A
1 Appropriation of Commonwealth TransportatDPW $ 3,843 Receipts Reserve Account 9-0-0 10/4/2021
2 Grants Administrator/Procurement Officer Select Board $ 45,000 R&A 9/20/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
3 FY 22 Insurance Budget Adjustment Select Board $ 600,000 Free Cash 9/20/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
4 FY 22 School Budget Adj - 2 FTEs School Committee $ 120,000 R&A 9/27/2021 7-2-0 10/4/2021
5 FY 22 Public Works Adj - Fire Dept Cleaning DPW $ 9,733 R&A 9-0-0 10/4/2021
6 FY 22 Conservation Dept - restore land mgt Conservation $ 5,000 R&A 9/20/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
7 FY 22 Police Adj - Lietenant Position & Exp Police Department $ 79,727 R&A 9/16/2021 10/7/2021 8-0-0 10/7/2021
8 Police Department Vehicle Police Chief $ 70,882 Free Cash 9/16/2021 10/7/2021 4-3-1 10/7/2021
9 FY 22 Golf Course Adj - no net change Recreation $ 153,178 CC Retained Earnings 9/20/2021 10/7/2021 7-1-0 10/7/2021
$ (153,178) R&A
10 FY 22 Golf Course Adj - credit card fees Recreation $ 11,000 CC Retained Earnings 9/27/2021 10/7/2021 8-0-0 10/7/2021
11 Golf Course Pump System Recreation $ 50,000 CC Retained Earnings 9/27/2021 10/7/2021 8-0-0 10/7/2021
12 Fire Alarm Infrastructure Fire Chief $ 30,000 Free Cash 9/16/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
13 Fire Department and Dispatch Software Fire Chief $ 33,000 Free Cash 9/16/2021 10/7/2021 8-0-0 10/7/2021
14 Tuition Reimbursement Town Manager $ 30,000 Free Cash 9-0-0 10/4/2021
15 Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements DPW $ 167,000 Free Cash 9-0-0 10/4/2021
16 Generator Purchase DPW $ 13,000 Free Cash 8-0-1 10/4/2021
$ 13,000 Sewer Retained Earnings
$ 13,000 Water Retained Earnings
17 Amend Bylaws: Alcoholic Beverages Select Board $ - 9/27/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
18 Amend Zoning - 64 Otis small parcel Planning Board $ - 10/4/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
19 Rec refer to planning board - 50-64 Otis - ID DPlanning Board $ - 10/4/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
20 Rec refer to planning board - Off-Premise SignPlanning Board $ - 10/4/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
21 Amend Animal Control Bylaw Select Board $ - 9/20/2021 9-0-0 10/4/2021
22 Acceptanceof Trail Easement Select Board $ - 10/7/2021 7-0-1 10/7/2021
Check Sum Total $ 1,294,185
Funding Source Summary ARTICLES NON-BORROW
R&A $ 106,282 R&A $ 106,282
Free Cash to Budget $ - Free Cash $ 943,882
Free Cash $ 943,882 Article Other $ -
Article Other $ - Capital Stabilization Fund $ -
Transfer/Other $ 3,843 State Aid to Roads & Chapter 90 $ -
Water Retained Earnin $ 13,000 Budget Article R/A $ -
Sewer Retained Earnin $ 13,000 Transfer & Retained Earnings $ 244,021
CC Retained Earnings $ 214,178 Total All Non-Borrow Articles $ 1,294,185
Cable Enterprise Fund $ - Total All Article Borrow $ -
Capital Stabilization Fu $ - Check Sum Total $ 1,294,185
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