Ayer OPEB Board Restores $300,000 Contribution After COVID-19 Deferral

AYER -- September 30, 2020, Ayer OPEB trustees vote to restore a $300,000 annual contribution deferred earlier due to COVID-19. The OPEB Trust Board of Trustees, chaired by Town Manager Robert Compran and meeting remotely on September 30, reached consensus to proceed with the fiscal year 2021 contribution after trustees reported that real estate and personal property tax collections remained above 98 percent for FY2020 and that the trust's investment portfolio had recovered to post a gain of roughly 4 percent above its benchmark for the calendar year. Trustee Kevin Johnston noted the town had already received some CARES Act funding and said he had "less concern than in the spring." A fiscal year 2022 contribution recommendation was deferred to a later meeting, with the next quarterly session scheduled for December 30, 2020.