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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm. 05/16/2024Town of Mansfield 6 Park Row, Mansfield, MassaebuseXts 02048 Finance Committee 111CT. I ; f,r LaTN114 present in meeting room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Mr. Mike Flaherty was present via GoToWebinar. Also Present: Mr. Matthew Violette, Assistant Town Manager and Ms. Sarah Raposa, Director of Planning and Development Not Present: Ms. Greta Thurston, Clerk Opening; Meeting 1. Open Meeting Ms. Sara Walsh called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 7:05PM. 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of April 18, 2024. (Feely/Flaherty) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi — Yes Feely —Yes Walsh —Yes Cooney —Yes Flaherty — Yes Financial Updates and Discussion 3. Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Updates Mr. Violette began his update on the general fund revenues which are the local receipts, he stated that as of last month they are already exceeding estimates. He added that that is good news and will be the key contributors to Free Cash. He then stated for General Fund Budget the Town is trending as expected but there is one more monthly health insurance bill for employees and that account may go over budget by $25,000 to $30,000. Ms. Walsh asked if a finance transfer was needed would the information be available for the scheduled June meeting or is another meeting needed because of timing. Mr. Violette responded that the bill is paid early in the month and there would be time to have it done at the June meeting. Mr. Violette then went over the enterprise accounts and the rainy season has affected the commitments for water to be down all year and think it will be tight to reach the revenue estimates. He stated that he spoke with the DPW Director today and they are going to cut down on expenses to try and offset the reduction in revenues. Mr. Violette stated they could use some retained earnings, but would like to avoid that if possible. 4. Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Update Mr. Violette stated that the Select Board did a budget presentation last week and this week the Select Board reviewed all of the motions for Town Meeting. Mr. Violette stated that at this point there is a balanced budget and that does include using a trash fee that was established by the Select Board. S. Trash and Recycling Fee Ms. Walsh asked for Mr. Violette to explain the Select Boards discussion and vote on the trash fee. Mr. Violette explained that the Select Board voted to create a revolving fund after consultation with Town Counsel, however creating a revolving fund would not be allowed as part of Annual Town Meeting because there is not sufficient language in Article One and it would be too late to post for a special town meeting. The Select Board then took a second vote at their next meeting adding language to support having a vote at fall Town Meeting to create the revolving fund for trash and recycling. Ms. Walsh then asked Mr. Violette to explain the difference between a revolving fund and an enterprise account. Mr. Violette stated that an enterprise fund is like its own self-sustaining business and that your accounting for all the costs associated with delivering a service, which includes salaries and benefits of employees who help administer the program. He stated a revolving fund allows for fees to be collected but does not have to collect for the full cost of the program. 6. Town Meeting Articles to Review and Vote Ms. Walsh asked the Committee if they wanted to vote each article or vote them as a group but it was decided that they would go through the items one by one and vote. Mr. Violette then provided a summary of each article. The Committee members asked questions throughout reviewing the articles. Motion: To recommend approval of Article 1 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi — Yes Cooney — Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Flaherty — Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 2 to the Select Board. (Feely/Tarsi) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi —Yes Cooney — Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Flaherty — Yes Motion: To recommend approval Article 3 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 5:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely —Yes Walsh —Yes Cooney —Yes Flaherty — Yes Mr. Violette stated that Article 4 was being passed over. Motion: To recommend approval Article 5 to the Select Board. (Feely/Flaherty) Passes 5:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely —Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney —Yes Flaherty — Yes Mr. Violette stated that Article 6 was being passed over. Motion: To recommend approval of Article 7 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi — Yes Cooney — Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Flaherty — Yes Mr. Violette stated that Article 8 was being passed over. Motion: To recommend approval of Article 9 to the Select Board. (Feely/Flaherty) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi —Yes Cooney — Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Flaherty — Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 10 to the Select Board. (Feely/Tars!) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi —Yes Cooney — Yes Feely —Yes Walsh — Yes Flaherty — Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 11 to the Select Board. (Feely/Flaherty) Passes 5:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney —Yes Flaherty — Yes Mr. Violette stated that Article 12 was being passed over. Ms. Sara Walsh stated that there was six Planning/Zoning Articles and went through Articles 13 to 18. The Committee took votes on article 14 and 17 because they have some financial impact. Mr. Flaherty left the meeting at 8:10PM Motion: To recommend approval of Article 14 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 4:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney —Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 17 to the Select Board. (Feely/Tarsi) Passes 4:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney —Yes Mr. Violette then spoke about Article 19-24. Motion: To recommend approval of Article 19 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 4:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely —Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney — Yes Mr. Violette stated that Article 20 was being passed over. Motion: To recommend approval of Article 21 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 4:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi — Yes Feely — Yes Walsh —Yes Cooney —Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 22 to the Select Board. (Feely/Tarsi) Passes 4:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh —Yes Cooney —Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 23 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 4:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney —Yes Motion: To recommend approval of Article 24 to the Select Board. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 4:0 RoIICaIIVote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh —Yes Cooney —Yes Questions from the Community 7. Questions from the Community Ms. Sandra Levine of 20 Walnut Street came forward and asked if the money that was put into the general fund for trash and recycling would ever come out of the general fund and be in the revolving fund. Mr. Violette stated that it can come out but there has to be an article at Town Meeting to create and establish the revolving fund, and once it is created the money will flow in and out of it for trash and recycling. Ms. Levine had additional questions in regards to building the TOD area. She asked if building would be allowed by right or would it be by special permit. Ms. Raposa responded that there are special tiers within the different zones so it is a mix of both, but all have site plan approval. Ms. Levin also asked about the long-term lease warrant article and wanted to know who would do the research and who will they report to when Mr. Ahern is not here in the future. Mr. Violette responded that it would go to the Town Manager's office or Select Board. Ms. Levine thought it might go to the Finance Committee and Mr. Feely thought it may be the DPW Director. She thought the article needed more information. Mr. Cooney added that it should be handled the same way short term leases are handled. Lastly, Ms. Levine asked how much is being suggested being placed in the Celebration fund and Mr. Violette responded that money from the general fund is not being put in the fund, it is expected that the funding will come through donations and fundraising. Ms. Raposa and Mr. Violette left the meeting at 8:50PM. Committee Business 8. Town Meeting FinCom Presentation and Message Ms. Walsh stated that she was starting to work on the slides which will include the budget process and the budget and identifying fees, but also noting that it is a fiscally responsible budget. Mr. Feely added that there is not a lot to like about this budget. She continued that the math is changing on the revenue and the expenses and likely come to the Town next year for override. She then stated that Town Meeting is at 7PM on Wednesday, May 221d and she will post for a Finance Committee meeting prior to that in case one is needed. 9. Survey Discussion and Roll Out Plan Ms. Tarsi said she wanted to wait until after the next Town and School Needs Committee meeting. 10. Committee Updates and Open Seats to Assign Ms. Walsh stated that we have a vacancy for Finance Committee and the Select Board has a process for filling that seat. Ms. Walsh stated that we don't have alternates, but we could post if there is a quorum of members. Mr. Cooney said he was more interested in the Budget Subcommittee. Mr. Feely said he was open to the Town and School Needs Assessment. 11. Summer Budget Planning Work Discussion Ms. Walsh stated that once the School Committee reorganizes she expects the first meeting to happen the first or second week in June. 12. Items Not Known in 48 Hours There were no items. 13. Finance Committee Member Comments Mr. Cooney said the Finance Committee vacancy needs to be filled with the best candidate possible and he then thanked Ms. Levine for coming to the meeting and asking questions. Mr. Feely stated it was good to have her at the Trash Workshops too. Ms. Tarsi agreed that she likes when people attend and ask questions. 14. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Finance Committee meeting of May 16, 2024 at 9:0713M. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 4:0 Roll Call Vote: Tarsi —Yes Feely — Yes Walsh — Yes Cooney —Yes 6 .za. 7- Signature Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne