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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINCOM MIN 02262009 Town of Mansfield Finance Committee Minutes of February 26, 2009 r~.!:Cc,l\lED ,-. ~ ~r ICE ') Ur r I Attending: James Lazz ra Jack Goldbe 9 Andres Gazz 10 Karl Chamb rs Tommy Ratli Charlene La in Greg Arnold 'n~~ ,t.."P~H'1 - 3 J\ R:.'. It I duel. r. V "t j ~:; Motion: To Open at 7: (Lazzara - Chambers) Presentation by South astern Regional School District Mr. Lopez and Mr. Flannery f om the Southeastern Regional School District presented to the Finance Committee on their budget fo 2009 - 2010. Mr. Lopez said that although the state budget has gone down the enrollment in the s hool district has gone up and the state aid has not changed; which leaves the school district with a $1 illion shortfall. It was decided to cut the budget rather than ask the towns for more money, which they nderstand the towns can not afford right now. As a result there will be a reduction in six staff member and the buildings will be closed on Fridays in the summer months to save on costs. Mr. Lopez said that Mansfield has been adversely affected by the state's target sharing plan and because of that the school district has alculated that Mansfield will receive a little more from the school district. He said that the school distri t will be absorbing the net transportation costs by eliminating some bus routes. Mr. Goldberg asked whether r. Lopez is able to identify specific reductions with the programs; Mr. Lopez responded that they are tryin not to eliminate those positions by increasing the staff insurance copayments, but that ultimat Iy they will eliminate those positions if necessary. He said that there will be six positions eliminated throu h attrition and then another six that may need to be cut; that would be four teachers and two aides. He Iso said that the administrators will be moved from twelve month positions to ten month positions and th t there is currently a freeze on administrative hires. Vote, 8:00p.m. Motion to support the Sou the stern School District 2009-2010 budget. (Lazzara - Arnold) 7 - 0 Passes Open Items Mr. Gazzolo reviewed the op n items with the Finance Committee. He said that there is a meeting scheduled with the Board of electmen and the School Committee that has been moved from March 4 to March 11. Mr. Gazzolo and Mr. Lazzara met during the week to discuss handling the contract negotiations. Mr. Gazzola said that the bu get that will be presented at the town meeting will be the Finance Committee budget. The Finance Committee had equested information from the Town Manager. Mr. Lazzara said that there is a difference in interpretatio of the municipal needs by the Finance Committee and the Town Manager. Mr. Lazzara said that he just eceived information that afternoon and had not had the opportunity to go ...._.,,_., _.-;~__'___ _".._.n""""'__,_,,"_'_~ over it yet. Mr. Gazzolo said hey should try to get together to go over that information; he had been told by the Board of Selectmen th t once they have the information and agree on it they can present it to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Ga 010 said that they do not have the fiscal years 2011 - 2013 expenses; but that they do have an idea on he revenue expected. Mr. Gazzolo mentioned that the Town Manager and the Town Accountant had ma e some changes on the expense side. Budget Review Mr. Gazzolo said that for fisc I year 2009 the Town Manager has made it clear that he will make the decisions whether or not the inance Committee agrees. Mr. Gazzolo said that he feels the Chapter 90 money should not be used to alance the budget. Mr. Lazzara said that the Finance Committee approved the budget last yea and that they could make a recommendation about the changes that have been made that do not align ith the approved budget. Mr. Goldberg said that it is the Board of Selectmen who would need t determine what to do. Mr. Gazzolo said that the Finance Committee had written an open letter with the r recommendation and that it had been read to the Board of Selectmen on two occasions; it is their choi e what to do from this point on. Mr. Lazzara mentioned that some expenses changed line items and that in order to do that they would need approval from the town. Ongoing Contract Neg tiations Mr. Goldberg said that the pr vious evening the Board of Selectmen asked for an update on the contract negotations. The Board of S lectmen agreed that a professional negotiator will be used with the Town Manager for the contract neg tations as needed. Mr. Goldberg expressed that the intent had been to have someone sit in with him or the negotations so that there would be continuity with future negotations. He said that although this is hat had been discussed with the Board of Selectmen he felt that it was not what had been conveyed to t e Town Manager. Mr. Gazzolo said that he spoke with the School Committee chair and that the have used the same lawyer for their negotations and have never had a problem with scheduling and hey would be happy to provide any assistance needed to the Town Manager. Ms. Lavin suggest d that maybe since the Town Manager will be leaving his position in November he should delegat someone else to take care of the contract negotations. Water Mr. Lazzara said that he went through the budget to see where there are discrepancies. They are currently planning for a zero ercent increase and they could cut a $145,000 project but that could potentially cause a problem ith toxins leaking into wells. Mr. Ratliff said that they have a meeting set up to discuss wastewater next week. Audit Committee Mr. Goldberg said that he sen a draft of the article for the warrant to the chair of the Board of Selectmen, but that apparently it was sen to an old email address. He said that now she has received it and has forwarded it on to the Board Selectmen. Discussion Mr. Gazzolo said that the To n Accountant has a draft of the budget requested by the schools with the $3.5 million cut. Mr. Lazzara aid that the foundation number is based on their proposed budget. He said that the town is over recomm nded contribution and that the town is on the list to receive state aide, but that they are not near the top f the list. Mr. Gazzolo said that when t ey receive the information they can review the budget and make an appropriate recommendation. He said that their proposal could change drastically from where it is now before it is finalized. Mr. Lazzara said that the capi al budget has not been voted on. They should get the budget the first week of March and will then review it. ~ .",-~,",..-...."..~-,_._,~-,~..~.-.._;~~' ~~-'-"'''_..._"..~'"._->>,.~~.-_- ........... Ms. Lavin said that she met w th Mr. Azinheira and that he has an organization chart for the whole DPW. She said that she found the c art very helpful. Mr. Gazzolo said that he has eceived several calls at home and would like to make a point of opening up 15 minutes of each meeting t the public for comment. It was suggested that the Finance Committee should ask Ann Baldwin to join them to discuss the legal process for the charter chang regarding contract negotations. Ms. Lavin said that she had re eived a question from someone asking if the Finance Committee is planning to continue to have t eir Saturday meeting this year. Mr. Gazzolo said that they should plan to have that meeting in April. /1 .., I ~\ <'.~ L) IV U' / {j 7 Date of Approval Motion To Close at 8:5 (Lazzara - Lavin) ., -..._.~.