Ayer OPEB Board Unanimously Backs $300,000 Contribution for Fiscal 2022

AYER -- February 3, 2021, Ayer's OPEB Board of Trustees unanimously recommended a $300,000 Other Post-Employment Benefits contribution for fiscal year 2022, continuing a funding approach the board has maintained for several years. Town Manager Robert Pomfret chaired the February 3 remote meeting, which included Select Board member Sean Copeland, Treasurer and Tax Collector Barbara Tierney, Finance Manager Lisa Gabri, Benefits and Payroll Manager Kevin Johnston, and Town Clerk Susan Copeland. The recommendation, which goes next to the Select Board for inclusion on the annual town meeting warrant, will draw on local meals and sales tax revenue and free cash in a split that may tilt more heavily toward free cash this year due to COVID-19's impact on restaurant revenues; Gabri noted the fund has grown to more than $3.3 million. Town Clerk Copeland raised the possibility of modeling a $50,000 to $100,000 contribution increase for future years, and the board agreed to seek an actuarial impact estimate and develop plain-language OPEB materials for the town website and town meeting.