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Date: 6/6/2023
AMHERST — The Town Council and Finance Committee completed their discussions of the final fiscal year 2024 budget presentations at the May 30 meeting. Included in the review were specifics within water and sewage, schools, the Fire Department and the Public Health Department.
The council and committee considered a borrowing authorization order for an enterprise fund to complete the replacement of a pump station, part of the town’s water and sewer system.
As Finance Director Sean Mangano explained, the particular authorization for the expenditure had been included in the final budget report but had not been outlined specifically due to a change in process where there were no budget presentations offered by town department heads.
“From the beginning in the budget presentation we proposed that there were going to be two debt authorizations, one for the pumper truck and one for pump station number 4, which is a project within the sewer fund,” he said.
Mangano further stated that the expenditure has been reflected in the sewer fund itself and would address an inoperative pump station that is part of the wastewater system, He further described the repair and replacement as of an urgent nature.
Following discussion, the council agreed to add an amendment with an explanation to the final report and voted in support of the $400,000 expenditure.
In examining other language within the budget report, the committee also reviewed the Amherst School Committee’s budget request for an additional $84,000 above the town guidance of a 3% increase for departments.
While discussing potential future revenue sources, including free cash or federal funding, the decision was made to not add reflective language to the report.
The balance of the meeting addressed structural format and language to be included in the final budget report.
Following the review, the council voted in favor of the committee’s recommendations approving the draft of the operating budget for FY24 as well as Capital Improvement Program appropriations for equipment, building and facilities totaling $6,057,350.
The council’s final vote approved the borrowing of $725,000 to fund the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Fire Department.