Present:

• Jay Bikofsky, Chair
• Steve Shatz
• Bill Vogt
• Pam Boudreau
• Jim Balfanz
• Diane Reuss
• Neil Holder (joined later)
• Michael Canales, Administrator

1. Minutes approved.
2. Chair gave highlights of the FY22 Operating Budget:
   1. Union workers’ salary up 2%; non-union up 1.3%
   2. Legal expenses down
   3. Accountant salary increased because work-week increased from 3 to 4 days
   4. Audit expense up
   5. Treasurer/Collector salary up $2300
   6. Cost of repairs to building down ($8454)
   7. Under Public Safety, police up and Volunteer firemen stipend up
   8. Education up over $200,000 (assessment and transportation)
   9. Public works — compactor and salaries up — Sewer and Water up
   10. Human Services — Visiting Nurse out of business, Tri-town Health took over and cost same — Council on Aging down because of shared service plan with Great Barrington
   11. Culture and Recreation — Library up and other costs down

Overall Operating Budget up $156,554 mostly due to rise in education costs

Operating Budget approved by Finance Committee

Baby Town Meeting is called to present to the Town those Warrant Articles that deal with financial matters — expenditures. Presenting and explaining them is required by our Town General Bylaws. The goal of the BTM is for the Town to better understand the financial articles before voting at Town Meeting. There will be 41 “financial” Articles explained at BTM and voted upon at TM this year.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor’s note: please see Warrant summarized above, click on the article number to read full article. All “financial articles” for review and discussion at Baby Town meeting are listed.