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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINCOM MIN 01082009 Town of Mansfield Finance Committee Minutes of January 8, 2009 f.-,.,.,r-.o . \ v r -' '~-rjt:TICE ,) , , r I Attending: James Lazza a Charlene Lav n Jack Goldber Andres Gazz 10 Karl Chambe s Tommy Ratlif ~r..!"ln r;-;'.__ 'll ^ 8 lJ 8 lJUl L:.J!.. h :', ;:: j' ~ {: Motion: To Open at 7:3 p.m. (Lazzara - Chambers) 5 - 0 - 1 Passes Snow and Ice Update Mr. Gazzolo welcomed Mr. Co k from the Department of Public Works and asked him to please speak to the state of the snow and ice r moval budget. Mr. Gazzolo continued to say that the Board of Selectmen had already voted to approve eficit spending of the snow and ice removal budget. Mr. Cook told the committee that so far this wint r the town has already committed to spending $325,000 in this area. Last year the total spent was $450, 00 and they expect to spend significantly more this winter. He said that the budgeted amount for this rea was $100,000 but that it was expected to be surpassed quickly. He said that $46,000 is slated to e spent on salt, but that it hasn't been spent yet. Mr. Lazzara asked Mr. Cook if it is still approximately $2,400 an hour for plowing; Mr. Cook said that number is accurate. Mr. Gazz 10 stressed to Mr. Cook that if the town reaches the anticipated $450,000 the Finance Committee would eed to be notified as quickly as possible; he said that it will require changes to the budget. Mr. La zara said that they are already expecting a $300,000 deficiency in revenue and that this is will onl increase that deficit. Mr. Goldberg asked about the $46,000 for salt and wanted to know if that would b enough to cover the town for the remainder of the snow and ice season. Mr. Cook said that he hoped that would last but that by the end of February they would be able to better gauge their salt usage. Mr. Gazzolo asked for Mr. Coo to provide the committee with his best guess on what the deficit would be at the end of the year. Mr. Co k said that would be difficult to determine but as an example they were at $460,000 last year and that hal of that cost was for salt alone; he also said that the cost of salt has increased 40% for this winter. Vote Motion to allow deficit spendin of the snow and ice budget. (Lazzara - Goldberg) 5 - 0 - 1 Passes Discussion Mr. Gazzolo gave an update 0 the previous evening's Board of Selectmen meeting; he said that the board reorganized themselves. Mr. Gazzolo said that he Jim a d Greg met with the Town Managers and the Town Accountant that day to look at the model that the Fi ance Committee had previously presented. Mr. Gazzolo mentioned that th health insurance and union negotiations need to be established as quickly as possible and that the Board of Selectmen decided who from their board would be working on this. Mr. Gazzolo said that the Finan e Committee had requested an update on the budget status from the School Committee, but that the did not receive a response. It was decided that Mr. Lazzara would .... _....... -"-"'- follow-up with this. Mr. Gazzol said that the schools are planning to hold $200,000 from their budget until February to determine ho things are at that point. Mr. Lazzara said that there are School Committee workshops on Janu ry 13 and 15. Mr. Gazzolo went through the pen issues and said that he is sending a memo to the Town Manager regarding several things: quart rly reviews, $150,000 hold on the budget similar to the schools, the need for someone to head up the ch rter change group, and consent to contact the town lawyer in regards to the charter change to allow for nion negotiations and an article to be added to the charter to allow for an audit committee. Mr. Gazzolo suggested that sin e the state could potentially cut aide to all of the cities and towns the Finance Committee might want to look into what other towns are planning to do about that. Mr. Gazzolo said that the Finance Committee needs to spearhead the charter change which will likely be a two to three year process. H said that they will need to get signatures from at least 10% of the total number of people that voted at he last town meeting. This charter change would allow for the town to have a professional negotiator or union contracts versus the negotiations being handled by the Town Manager. It was decided that r. Chambers would be in charge of beginning this process. Mr. Goldberg gave an update 0 the audit committee. He said that as of right now there are no applicants for the two at large s ats. Ms. Lavin said that she and Mr. Chambers met with Mr. Azinheira about the waster water and water capital. They are planning to h ve a summary to the Finance Committee by February 1. Ms. Lavin said that CIP is holdi g a meeting on January 27; at this meeting they will pick a new chair and vice chair for the committee. T ey are also planning to meet with the department heads to follow-up on some projects that were suppo ed to have been completed from this area. Mr. Goldberg requested that the Finance Committee an upd te on this as well. Mr. Gazzolo said that he spoke ith the Town Manager about the capital budget and that they are planning on not having capital i the next fiscal year. The Town Manager, Town Accountant and the Finance Committee are alllooki g at the different ways of breaking down the budget to make everything work. Mr. Goldberg suggested hat some area towns are reorganizing their services and making regional services like police and fire. He asked if this is something that Mansfield should look into if it gets to that point. Vote Motion to approve minutes of D cember 11 Finance Committee meeting. (Goldberg - Chambers) 5 - 0 - 1 Passes Motion: To Close at 9:00 .m. (Lazzara - Ratliff) 5 - 0 - 1 Passes ; ,':;) U (, Date of Approval .,...