HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes04162010
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of April 16, 2010
Present:
Chairman Baldwin, Vice Chairman Moran, Clerk Jess Aptowitz, Selectman
Dentino, Selectman Sandra Levine, William Ross, Town Manager
Absent:
Town Meeting Budget FY11 6pm
Andy Gazzolo, FinComm Chairman, gave a brief overview statement about a joint meeting
of the FinComm/bos/school committee. The FinComm will transfer some funds to save
sports and arts programs however; the school must still cut staff to avoid an override.
Selectman Dentino asked "what this move would avoid?" It will avoid an override this year
and give the school committee time to negotiate with the unions for concessions.
The school committee will also be adding user fees to sport and art programs to recoup
some costs.
Selectman Moran stated that this is an alternative that will restore some services
however, there will still be layoffs. This is not a good solution as it takes valuable funds
from other town projects/needs but it is the only way now to avoid total cuts on the
schools. The funds will be coming out of our unfunded liability account and reserve funds.
As stated before, other town projects or needs will suffer or go unfunded to use this
money for the schools.
Selectman Levine is angry that it has come to this. The Board of Selectmen has balanced
the budget on the town side and it was painful to make cuts. However, the school
committee is charged with the same duty and they have not done so. For the last years
and now this year, the school committee has not been able to balance their budget without
getting money from other sources. (Stabilization, government stimulus monies).
Selectman Aptowitz is not happy with the situation either and is not in favor of an over
ride so this is the best way possible to lessen the pain for all involved.
Selectman Dentino stated he knows the school committee has worked to cut where ever
they felt they could. This agreement balances the budget and saves sports programming.
However, this also hurts the town as well. It leaves up with less money to fix our
crumbling roads and sidewalks. It draws down our own funds to pay for our own unfunded
liability.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 16, 2010
This is just like last year, a one time band aid. Selectman Moran stated that while it is a
one time fix, it also does not make our situation any worse.
School Committee Chairman Miller stated that they are working hard to negotiate with the
teacher unions and will continue to try and get concessions from the unions. It is a long
process and it is frustrating. Rest assured, the school committee is working to get
concessions and realizes just how important they are to future budgets.
Mr. Ross informed the Board of Selectmen that he and the small amount of non unionized
employees on the municipal side will be moving to the new health care plan as of July 1st
and encourages the school non union employees to do the same. This move will not save a
lot of money but every bit counts.
Selectman Levine stated that she is not angry with the school committee members
individually but as a group. She is frustrated at the process.
Mr. Ross then stated that he has been working the school committee himself and knows
that they are working hard to gain concessions from the unions.
Motion: To support Chairman Gazzolo's proposal to transfer a total sum of $873,000.00
from the town side to the school department to restore all sports programs at the high
school, all after school programs and clubs. In addition the schools will not ask for a
neither override, nor money from stabilization or request or allow a request to transfer
additional monies from the town side to the school department at the annual town meeting.
(Aptowitz/Moran) 4:1:0 (Levine nay) passes
School Committee members Lisa Losiewicz and Jean Miller agreed to the terms and
thanked the Board of Selectmen for their support. They let the audience know that they
have cut expenses and wi II continue to do so. Lisa also informed the selectmen that the
school committee would have to schedule a formal meeting to take a vote on this
agreement. In accepting this, Lisa Losiewicz stated that the school committee would
withdraw a request for the override and would not support any moves to transfer extra
funds from the town to school side from town meeting floor.
Motion: To close the warrant for special town meeting noting the withdrawal of article 17.
(Moran I Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 16, 2010
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Adjournment
Motion: Adjourn at 6:57pm (Aptowitz) 5-0 Passes
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Signature of Clerk
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Date of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 16, 2010
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