Williamstown Finance Committee approves $75,000 in year-end reserve fund transfers

WILLIAMSTOWN -- July 10, 2023, Williamstown Finance Committee closes fiscal year 2023 with two reserve fund transfers totaling just over $75,000. The committee unanimously approved a $58,266.40 transfer to cover a snow and ice budget overrun driven by a damaging March storm, and a $16,733.60 transfer for extraordinary legal costs tied to Department of Public Works collective bargaining negotiations and mediation, expenses the town finance director described as "unforeseen, unexpected" and appropriate for reserve fund use. Chair Melissa Cragg was unanimously reelected to lead the committee, with Fred Puddester named vice chair. A proposed carry-forward for the Dyer Committee went unvoted after members flagged the absence of a binding contract, with Puddester citing Massachusetts General Law requirements; town staff indicated the funding window would close if a contract was not executed by week's end.