“That’s a wrap,” as they say, as Mattapoisett’s fiscal year came to an end. The total amount being shifted from saving realized when employee group health enjoyed a savings of $323,500. The transfers are in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 33B of the Massachusetts General laws.
The transfers were as follows: $50,000 to cover temporary library director and building inspector. A sum of $30,000 was transferred to cover employee benefits for numerous employee retirements and year end buyouts that were more than anticipated.
The sum of $23,000 was transferred to cover town building expenses for the repair and painting of Center school including the clock tower which was more than anticipated based on bids received.
The sum of $750 was transferred for record management expenses for more files held in storage than anticipated.
A sum of $27,100 was transferred to cover Planning Board salaries. The Town Planner’s salary is split between Acushnet and Mattapoisett. However, that arrangement requires that Mattapoisett pay the full salary and is later reimbursed by Acushnet.
The sum of $3,000 was transferred to cover police expenses for the electric car charging station located at the Police Department which was unbudgeted for FY25.
Also being transferred from employee group insurance was $10,000 for salaries for the natural resources department due to an extended absence of an animal control officer.
$100 was transferred for the natural resources department for unanticipated expenses associated with a rabies shot which was necessary when an employee was bitten.
$1,250 was transferred to the Bristol Aggie student tuition fund. The original numbers the department had received were lower than the actuals on the final billing.
The sum of $40,000 was transferred to cover salaries at the fire department for unexpected costs to outfit a new ladder truck.
$5,000 was transferred to the Council on Aging for vehicle repairs and maintenance costs more than anticipated on the department’s van.
The sum of $7,000 was transferred to the veterans’ administration salaries for unexpected buyout when an employee left that department.
$3,800 was transferred to the parks salaries for janitorial expenses that were unanticipated. The sum of $6,500 also went to the parks department expenses for building repairs and Portage John rentals that were more than anticipated.
The sum of $31,000 was transferred to cover utility expenses due to a rate change and incorrect billing from Eversource for the fire station.
$10,000 was transferred to the Medicare tax expense due to that expense being due for unexpected employee buyouts.
And last but not least, $2,000 was needed for the tax collector’s department as billings were required to include seven different languages.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee was not scheduled at adjournment.
Mattapoisett Finance Committee
By Marilou Newell