Finance Committee Meeting on July 23, 2026

The Finance Committee met on July 23, 2026 at 5:03 PM at the Fire Station. The meeting focused on discussing and making recommendations on the Select Board’s Strategic Plan. All four members (Rayo, Jeff, Michelle, Madonna) were present, constituting a quorum. The committee passed several motions recommending changes to the strategic plan, covering capital projects, public safety, housing, economic development, school funding, and environmental advocacy.

Consent Calendar

• None explicitly noted; the meeting proceeded without a consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Garzone (84 North Plain Road) praised the committee's proactive approach and thanked them for their work.
• Sharon (attendee) raised concerns about evaluating procurement costs and avoiding surprises like the $5 million construction issue.
• Doug Robbins asked about mechanisms to evaluate spending and prevent future procurement challenges. The chair noted a previous motion on a capital review committee.
• Eileen (attendee) supported more visibility on capital expenditures and suggested a different town meeting format.
• Vivian suggested adding “cooperatives” to the economic development goal, drawing on the region's cooperative heritage from W.E.B. Du Bois.
• Phil noted the complexity of housing data and cautioned against over-specifying.

Discussion Items

• Chair’s Opening Statement – Chair (Rayo) set ground rules for civil discourse after disruptive behavior at the last meeting. One member cautioned about legal precedent and constitutional concerns.
• Infrastructure & Assets – Rayo proposed a standing capital project subcommittee with representation from Select Board, Finance Committee, Town Manager, and Town Accountant to develop written guidelines for capital priorities, appropriation proposals, and procurement. The motion passed 4-0.
• Public Health & Safety – Rayo recommended extending the cost review model applied to ambulance services to police and fire, including developing a multi-year capital forecast and identifying savings through shared services. The motion passed 4-0 to make police and fire a Tier 1 priority.
• Housing – The committee discussed adding “attainable housing by middle-income households” as a distinct objective alongside affordable and workforce housing, and emphasizing “aging in place.” The motion passed 4-0.
• Economic Development – Rayo suggested making Great Barrington a destination and working with the Chamber of Commerce. After debate, Jeff’s amendment to simply add “and establishes Great Barrington as a destination” to the economic development goal was passed 4-0.
• Municipal Service Delivery – Rayo proposed regular meetings (three times per year) among finance committees of the three member towns and the school district to discuss budget assumptions. Jeff recommended making the affordability and equitability of the regional school assessment a Tier 1 strategic priority. The motion passed 4-0.
• Open Space & Recreation – Madonna raised concerns about the Housatonic River contamination (PCB cleanup) and argued that the “Rest of River” item should be moved from Tier 3 to Tier 1 with added advocacy. The motion to move it to Tier 1 and change the bullet to “retain town resources to assist with monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy” passed 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• Motion 1 (Infrastructure & Assets): Recommend that the Town Manager and Select Board consider vehicles (e.g., a subcommittee) for reviewing capital project recommendations. Passed 4-0.
• Motion 2 (Public Health & Safety): Extend as a Tier 1 priority to police and fire the same posture applied to the ambulance service. Passed 4-0.
• Motion 3 (Housing): Add attainable housing by middle-income households as a distinct objective alongside existing affordable and workforce housing strategies, and emphasize aging in place. Passed 4-0.
• Motion 4 (Economic Development): Add “and establishes Great Barrington as a destination” to the end of the economic development goal. Passed 4-0.
• Motion 5 (Municipal Service Delivery): Make the affordability and equitability of the regional school assessment a Tier 1 strategic priority. Passed 4-0.
• Motion 6 (Open Space & Recreation): Move “Rest of River” from Tier 3 to Tier 1 and revise the bullet to “retain town resources to assist with monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy.” Passed 4-0.
• Next Meeting: August 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM, with topics including Select Board reaction to recommendations, Prosperity Way procurement audit update, and CPA appointment. Future meetings penciled for September 9 or 23, and October 7.
• Adjournment: 7:44 PM.