Barre Finance Committee Advances FY22 Budget Reviews, Flags Accounting Delays

BARRE -- February 18, 2021, Barre Finance Committee reviews FY22 departmental budgets and hears warnings of a cash-reconciliation backlog in the treasurer-collector's office. Town Accountant Gene told the committee at the February 18 meeting that she has not received February collector's turnovers or mortgage escrow postings and cannot balance cash or receivables as a result, warning that delays could produce a repeat of a prior multi-year catch-up crisis. Town Administrator Jessica proposed cuts to the town buildings budget, including a 50 percent reduction in general repair appropriations and a $6,400 trim to the Henry Woods Building account, citing consistently low actual spending and an active grant strategy. Colleen Abrams of Wachusett Greenways presented on the organization's 26th year of maintaining the Mass Central Rail Trail between Barre and Sterling, and the committee signaled it would maintain its $1,000 annual contribution. The committee set its next budget session for March 4, with the DPW, sewer, water, parks, and town clerk budgets still outstanding.