Great Barrington Finance Committee Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Finance Committee met remotely on April 28, 2026, pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order and Governor Healy's March 13, 2025 order extending remote participation. The primary agenda item was to review and consider a recommendation on Article 15, a citizens' petition seeking $490,000 from free cash for Southern Berkshire Ambulance Services (SBAS) to fund approximately 50% of the cost of two new ambulances. During the meeting, committee members discussed the fiscal impact, contract negotiations, and oversight concerns, and heard public testimony. No vote was taken; the committee will revisit the recommendation at a joint meeting prior to town meeting.

Discussion Items

• Citizens' Petition Overview: The petition originally sought $490,000 for two ambulances currently on order. Town Manager Liz stated that if the full amount passed or was reduced to $240,000 (as later proposed), several other capital items would not move forward, including the Plymvale event, backup turn gear for the fire department, body cameras, two electric vehicles for transit, and the manhole installation at Pearl Street. Items such as the master plan, online permitting software, assessor software upgrades, and a cruiser would remain in free cash.
• Contract Status: Liz confirmed she met with SBAS on April 24 and is finalizing a three-year contract with an oversight committee to meet quarterly, comprising the fire chief, town manager, a select board representative, and two SBAS members.
• Reduction Proposal: Committee members received an email from SBAS representative Peter Mose stating the intention to move to reduce the appropriation to $240,000 at town meeting. The reduced figure represents Great Barrington's assessed share of capital costs over the three-year term of the proposed contract, rather than the full $490,000 in a single year. Peter Mose explained that the $240,000 covers the first three years of payments, with $250,000 remaining for the subsequent two years, funded through outside financing.
• Committee Member Concerns:
  • Anne requested clarification on what would not be funded if the petition passed.
  • Michelle asked about contract negotiations and noted her vote on capital expenditure is contingent on Article 14 (operating) and floor action.
  • Milena expressed discomfort with the town handing taxpayer money to an outside entity without direct oversight, questioned the math behind the reduced figure, and requested a clear breakdown of tax impact (estimated by Patrick White at approximately $67 per year for the average taxpayer, representing about 1% of the tax levy).
  • Madonna felt the citizens' petition created a "sticky wicket" and opposed the three-year spread, as floor action could revert to $490,000.
  • Rich Guiler argued that capital expenses should be the entity's responsibility, suggesting SBAS seek loans, grants, or fundraising.
• Oversight Clarification: Liz clarified the oversight committee is operational, focusing on runs, operations, and contract compliance—not advising on business fundraising.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Santos (SBAS Board): Emphasized that SBAS provides an essential service, loses money on every call due to insurance reimbursement, and defended efforts to be transparent. He noted that SBAS has increased fundraising and welcomed questions.
• Peter Mose (SBAS Representative): Explained the rationale for reducing the request to $240,000, aligned with the three-year contract term to avoid a large upfront burden on the town. He cited the public purpose doctrine under Massachusetts law, which permits towns to fund outside entities for valid municipal functions.
• Patrick White (SBAS Budget Builder): Stated he built the budget accounting for federal revenue uncertainty, made line-by-line budgets available, and increased direct appeals. He noted that $240,000 in extra funds came in from July to December 2025 through fundraising. He estimated the total tax impact for Great Barrington at about $67 per taxpayer annually.

Key Outcomes

• No Vote Taken: Due to time constraints (committee members had to leave), the committee did not take a vote on a recommendation. Chair Rich Guiler agreed to add a potential vote to the agenda of the joint meeting before town meeting (scheduled for May 1 or 2).
• Next Steps: The committee will continue listening to public input and revisit the recommendation at the upcoming joint meeting. Town Manager Liz will prepare a tax impact breakdown for town meeting.