Selectmen authorize $127,599 transfer from restricted library funds; approve encumbrances and short transfers

At the Dec. 30 meeting, Greenland officials moved several fiscal items. The board voted to authorize the use of $127,599 in restricted funds from the Weeks Library expansion account (appropriated by town meetings in 2018 and 2021) to pay a portion of the town's 2024 principal long-term debt obligation to Eastern Bank. The motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

During a public hearing the board also accepted $1,802.99 in meals-and-rooms tax revenue, a recurring state-collected fund that benefits local grants. Resident Dennis Malloy addressed the hearing, explaining how the statewide rooms-and-meals collections support grant programs that benefit towns.

Finance staff reviewed 2024 encumbrances and asked the board to approve $14,068.80 of selected encumbrances, including orders for police ammunition and ambulance medical billing. The board approved that motion by voice vote. Separately, the ambulance appropriation was reported as overdrawn in the transcript by $3,073; later in the meeting the board approved a transfer of $3,273 from a fire department account to cover an ambulance shortfall. The transcript shows both figures; the board discussed the transfer and approved a motion to move the funds.

Board members said they will continue to reconcile manifest adjustments and noted the auditors will review year-end statements. The town administrator said updates to trust and fund balances will follow once final statements arrive.