Finance Committee Chairwoman K. Elaine Neely, center, conducts Wednesday's meeting that swiftly reviewed four department budget requests for fiscal 2016.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Finance Committee on Wednesday began its in-depth review of the town's budget, and so far there are no expenditures raising any red flags for the panel.
In a breezy one-hour session, the committee signed off on the budgets of the town's Community Development Office, Public Safety Department, town clerk and Council on Aging.
None of those cost centers is projected to have budget increases out of line with the 2.5 percent increase in total expenses presented in the balanced budget.
And the department heads all explained to the panel's satisfaction where expenditures were trimmed in order to make up for added expenses.
For example, the Council on Aging, which will see a 2.4 percent rise in its budget to just more than $261,000, projects cost savings on its electric, natural gas and gasoline line items.
The first two are due to increased efficiency, including a new air conditioner. The gasoline savings come from changes in the way the agency serves the town's older population.
"We had been doing a lot of runs to North Adams Regional Hospital — a large chunk of that was for the wound clinic," Council on Aging Director Brian O'Grady explained.
The Williamstown COA is collaborating with other councils in the county to provide transportation services, and those groups got together to write a grant to defray part of those costs.
All things considered, the COA expects to save about 14 percent on gasoline in fiscal 2016, budgeting $6,875 against a projected cost of $8,000 in FY15.
On the other hand, like every other municipal entity, any cost savings are balanced by a 14 percent increase in the cost of health insurance, the main driver in the town budget's overall hike.
Most of the budget changes discussed on Wednesday night were minor adjustments to reflect changes in staffing due to retirement or transfers of money to line items that better reflect how the money is being spent.
The Finance Committee asked for clarifications on a few points but overall had few questions for the department heads in attendance. The committee will continue its review of the budget on Feb. 25.
Williamstown.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
MEMBER SIGN IN
Finance Committee Chairwoman K. Elaine Neely, center, conducts Wednesday's meeting that swiftly reviewed four department budget requests for fiscal 2016.
