HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINCOM MIN 04162009
Town of Mansfield
Finance Committee
Minutes of April16, 2009
ED
Attending: Charlene Lavin
Andres Gazzolo
Jack Goldberg
James Lazzara
Tommy Ratliff
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Motion: To Open at 7:30p.m.
(Lazzara - Goldberg) 7 - 0 Passes
Review
Mr. Gazzolo reviewed the meetings that had been held throughout the week. Representatives from the
Finance Committee met with the light department to review their budget; and representatives also met
with representatives from the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager to discuss
the budget.
Mr. Goldberg gave a recap of the Board of Selectmen meeting from the previous evening. He said that
he spoke during the questions and comments portion of the meeting about unfunded liabilities. He said
that there are changes in the law which allows the town to create a trust fund for these expenses; he also
said that there is a place holder for an article for the special meeting within the annual town meeting, if
this article passes then the town would have a line item for the trust in the budget. Mr. Gazzolo said that
the town has been paying these items as they come up but that they aren't able to continue this way. Mr.
Goldberg said that the Board of Selectmen asked them to come back on April 29 and give an update on
how to possibly handle this for fiscal year 2011. Mr. Gazzolo said that this is a major issue that will
impact the town for the next 30 years.
Minutes
Mr. Gazzolo said that Mr. Arnold sent a response to the Attorney General's office in regards to the
minutes for the Finance Committee. He said that the letter explained the missing minutes and included
some minutes that had not be previously sent to the Attorney General's office. He said that they have not
received a response yet.
Mr. Gazzolo said that he got some information on open meeting laws.
Budget Review
Mr. Gazzolo said that there had been a meeting earlier that day to discuss the town budget. Right now
the Finance Committee and the Town Manager have two separate budgets and there are still some major
discrepancies; primarily in how the stimulus money is counted, however, he believes the Town Manager
is planning to remove the stimulus money from his budget. Mr. Gazzolo went through the other
discrepancies between the budgets and discussed which items would likely be changed in the Finance
Committee budget or the Town Manager's budget.
There was a discussion of the approved $425 million cut in the house budget, and how this cut would
affect the municipal budget.
Mr. Gazzolo suggested that the Finance Committee review budgets for the departments in late May and
that if things change drastically from where they are now there may need to be a special town meeting.
Mr. Gazzolo mentioned that the Finance Committee needs to know the effect of the staff cuts; not the
specifics, just the dollar amount. Mr. Lazzara said that there are 100 layoffs that the town is preparing for
that was not counted in the original line item for unemployment.
Discussion
Ms. Lavin said that CIP is meeting on April 28; they are waiting to hear from the Town Manager as to
whether he has any capital in his revised budget.
Mr. Goldberg said that he received a draft of the electric department financial statement; and that the
town wide statement should be ready soon.
Mr. Goldberg mentioned that the Audit Committee member information is posted on the website and that
if anyone is interested in applying they should look there for further information. He said that it is on the
website in anticipation that it will be passed at the town meeting.
Mr. Lazzara said that the schools usually receive a bill in April for special education expenses; as soon as
that is available the Finance Committee should be made aware of what that cost is.
Mr. Gazzolo said that the electric department would like to see the Finance Committee in regards to the
new funding plan for the substation; he said that ultimately they are seeking consultation from the Finance
Committee on the substation.
Vote
Motion to approve minutes of April 2 Finance Committee meeting.
(Goldberg - Lazzara) 4 - 0 - 1 Passes
Vote
Motion to approve minutes of April 9 Finance Committee meeting.
(Lavin - Lazzara) 5 - 0 Passes
Motion: To Close at 8:45p.m.
(Lazzara -Ratliff) 5 - 0 Passes
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Signature o~ Clerk
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Date of Approval