The Plymouth Advisory and Finance Sub-Committee D met on January 20 at Town Hall to evaluate the Department of Public Works (DPW) budget divisions for fiscal year 2027. DPW leaders presented a series of spending plans that prioritize contractual obligations while navigating significant staffing challenges across the department's diverse divisions. Diane Magcguire, Cemetery and Crematory Superintendent, opened the session by explaining that a 23% increase in crematory personnel costs stemmed from filling a previously vacant administrative assistant role, noting, The crematory has stayed stable... I don't see any areas of concern or anywhere we need an increase. Committee member Mr. Lai scrutinized the staffing changes, asking, Have you added staff year over year? Motion Made by Mr. Malagudi to approve the budget as presented for the crematory. Motion Passed 3-0. Motion Made by Mr. Lai to approve the cemetery budget as presented. Motion Passed 3-0.

The Parks and Forestry budget sparked discussion regarding a 1,700% increase in attendance bonus funding. Superintendent Nick Fa explained that the shift ensures the town can cover costs if every employee meets attendance goals, stating, The big one you see that’s 1,700%... was requested to add the attendance bonuses to reflect if everyone was to get an attendance bonus. The Chair questioned the logistics of the program, asking, I just have a quick question on the attendance bonus... just how does this work, what would qualify someone for that? Motion Made by Mr. Lai to approve the budget as presented for parks and forestry. Motion Passed 3-0. In the Engineering division, Town Engineer Richard Bossy addressed road maintenance needs. This is for restriping all the roads... any roads where the lines are faded, Bossy said, noting that work on Long Pond Road would follow upcoming milling and overlays. Motion Made by Mr. Malagudi to move the engineering budget as presented. Motion Passed 3-0.

DPW Director Bill Coyle reported that the Highway division is successfully reducing vacancies, though he warned that snow and ice removal costs are likely to exceed their level-funded projections based on early winter storm activity. Staffing shortfall... put us down to four vacancies which is definitely much better than it’s been in the past, Coyle noted. Motion Made by Mr. Malagudi to approve the highway budget as presented. Motion Passed 3-0. Motion Made by Mr. Malagudi to approve the snow and ice budget as presented. Motion Passed 3-0. During the Fleet Maintenance review, the committee debated a $24,000 painting services line item that had seen little use. Coyle suggested retaining the funds, noting that specialized equipment needs periodic upkeep. Motion Made by Mr. Lai to approve the fleet maintenance budget as presented. Motion Passed 3-0.

Assistant DPW Director James Downey introduced a specific $20,000 request for a replacement well in Cedarville to monitor landfill conditions. Committee member Mr. Malagudi sought clarification, asking, Is the well a one-time expense? to which Downey confirmed it was a non-recurring capital need. Motion Made by Mr. Lai to approve solid waste operations as presented. Motion Passed 3-0. The meeting concluded with Facilities Maintenance manager Kyle Anderson discussing the management of "Burks Law" funds for unspent projects. Anderson remarked, We are trying to spend down the money that we have that has been allocated for a lot of these projects before we continue to ask for additional funding. Motion Made by Mr. Lai to approve the facilities maintenance fiscal year 2027 budget as presented. Motion Passed 3-0. Town Meeting member Kevin Lynch provided public comment, urging the town to adopt simpler budget summaries. My job was to explain something complex into simple terms so the students could go aha, Lynch said, advocating for a one-page executive summary for residents.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 a.m.