NORWELL - The Norwell Select Board devoted its June 11 meeting to addressing current and future fiscal pressures as it evaluates the impacts of FY25 budget cuts and rising costs. Board members, the town administrator, and department representatives discussed strategies for managing expenses without overburdening residents following a failed override effort earlier this year.
Board member John McGrath emphasized that the town is now developing a standardized reporting system to improve financial clarity.
“One of my main initiatives for the Select Board is a complete reevaluation of how we look at the financials,” McGrath said. “We're standardizing reports, getting more digestible information out to not only the advisory board and the Select Board, but also the residents.”
McGrath also said he collected six RFPs from other communities as reference points for drafting financial software and reporting tools. These efforts aim to clarify the operational impacts of funding levels and offer better long-term forecasting.
“The next year's budget should be a primary focus,” he added, “and really focus to 2031 until the pension liability is completely met.”
Board members agreed that the upcoming fiscal year would require a shift in focus away from new initiatives toward core budget management. Select Board member Andy Reardon urged the board to scrutinize operational spending and look for cost-saving efficiencies.
“We may have been a little bit behind the ball this past year and I think the board owes it to the taxpayers to be a little bit more focused,” Reardon said.
He questioned the necessity of all personnel and equipment, and floated ideas such as consolidating positions and cross-training workers, as well as noting that private-sector efficiency models could help inform the town’s approach.
McGrath noted that mandatory costs—including pension obligations and health insurance—leave little flexibility in the budget.
Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan suggested forming board liaisons to focus on specific budget-impact areas such as health insurance, zoning, and trash.
Sullivan also emphasized the importance of improving public communication throughout the year, beyond just override-related forums.
Board members agreed to revisit select board focus areas and proposed creating task forces aimed at supporting town departments during the budget review process. Chair Smellie summed up the board’s expected direction:
“We're not going to be looking at feel-good items. We're going to be looking at brass tacks,” he said.
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