PHILLIPSTON — The Selectboard and Finance Committee delved into financial matters at their recent joint meeting, approving year-end transfers to various expenses, and finalized amounts for wage plan transfers to payroll accounts.
As directed by annual town meeting voters, minor changes were made to the Wage Classification Plan for town employees, resulting in an estimated 2½ percent pay increase. Based on a study of actual time spent on the job in 2018, transfers totaling $73,717.80 from the Supplemental Wage Account to the appropriate payroll accounts were approved. The amounts transferred to various payroll accounts (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows: Board of Assessors: $557.38; Board of Health: $447.37; Board of Selectmen: $26,899.48; Building Department: $347.63; Cemetery Commission: $299.67; Emergency Management: $131.33; Fire Department: $18,924.16; Highway: $6,103.92; Library: $5.120.51; Police Department: $8,342.99; Tax Collector Payroll: $151; Tax Collector salary: $1,909.99; Town Clerk: $33.85; Town Accountant: $635.30; Town Clerk salary: $3,604.30; Town Treasurer: $1.027.92.
Based on longevity, it was voted to adjust the step/grade upward for two town employees: Ray Jackson, hired in 1992 and Ron Pratt, hired in 1993.
Selectwoman Kim Pratt voiced concern about the legal procedure as pertains to the Open Meeting Law, noting changes were made to the Wage Plan, discussed at the October 17, 2017 and March 18, 2018 meetings but not voted in open meeting.
The FinCom and Selectboard approved the following transfers: $6,970 from the town hall secretary account to the Board of Selectmen account for any unexpected expenses; $1,000 from the Treasurer Tax Title account to Treasurer Expense for conference expenses not budgeted.
The sum of $500 was transferred from the Cemetery Secretary to the Cemetery Expenses. Town Accountant Kelli Pontbriand said not enough was budgeted in the revolving account, and there were extra wages due from burials.
The sum of $800 was transferred from Library Maintenance to Library Circulation, which was under-budgeted for books; $900 from Group Insurance to Building Expenses for computer and updated books; $1,100 from Group Insurance to Building Salaries for the wiring inspector, as not enough was budgeted in the Wiring Inspector account; $1,250 from Police Payroll to Police Expenses (Verizon and extra expenses); $2,800 from Group Insurance to Board of Health Refuse Expense (revolving fund); $400 from Library Maintenance to Library Circulation Material (extra books).
Highway Superintendent Rick Tenney reported the contractors hired to work on the fire station roof have indicated they may be able to begin in a couple of weeks.
Annual town meeting voters in May approved $28,600 for the project.
Tenney reported there is water leaking between the Phillipston Congregational Church and the Annex. The area has been dug up several times the past several years. He suggested a manhole cover be installed so employees can get to the shutoff valves.
Sub-contractor bids for the elevator to be installed at Town Hall are due next week. It will be located in the Selectmen’s office, which will be shifted into the present meeting room.
Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Flynn said work will not begin until after the State Primary Election on Nov. 6.
Asked whether the gymnasium at the Phillipston Memorial Elementary School could be used for the election, Town Clerk Karin Foley said that there is not enough time to apply for a change of venue through the state. She said, “We will make it work for the state election,” if the meeting space is affected by the construction work.