HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm. 02/13/2025Town of Mansfield
6 Park Rom, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048 y ()
Finance Committee
Present: ms. Sara Walsn, Cnalr; Mr. SCOtt t-eely, vice Lnalr; ivir. Kyan iviarun, t iemi 1vis.jvieitnga :a
and Mr. Jack Cooney were present in the Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. ;.l`S' _T1 5
Not Present: Ms, Greta Thurston and Mr. Michael Flaherty
Opening Meeting
1. Open Meeting
Ms. Walsh called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 5:3313M.
2. Discussion and Consideration to Approve Meeting Minutes of October 17, 2024; January 9, 2025;
January 14, 2025; January 14, 2025
Motion: To approve the October 17, 2024; January 9, 2025; January 14, 2025 and January 14, 2025 meeting
minutes. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 5:0
Financial Updates
3. Discussion with DPW Director, Josh Reinke
Ms. Walsh stated that Mr. Reinke is not available but he and Mr. Dumas sent in an update. She stated that
trash collection is under contract with Waste Management and expires in 2027 and they have agreed to the
same terms for three years with a 2.5% per year. Ms. Walsh then stated that the disposal of solid waste is
provided by Wheelebrator and the current contract ends in Fiscal Year 2028 and they are working for a
contract beyond the current term.
4. FY25 Update
Ms. Walsh stated that if anyone has questions she can follow up with Mr. Violette but there were none from
the Committee members. She did update the Committee that the snow and ice budget as of today was
$47,493.98 but expects that will change given the forecast.
S. FY26 Budget and Scenario Discussion
Ms. Walsh began the discussion stating that the Budget SubCommittee met last night and the Town and
School are still finalizing their balanced budgets. The Town and School split the $2 million shortfall. She stated
that the Town has multiple line items that were reduced and still has $332,000 left to cut. She stated at the
next Tri-Board meeting she has asked for a narrative of what these cuts mean. The Schools will provide how
many FTE's that will be for their $1 million in cuts. She stated that they are doing an override option with and
without trash. She stated that the Tri-Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for February, 25th at 6:30PM.
There also will be a detailed schedule for March and April to hold the public open sessions and there will also
be a media campaign. She stated that the Select Board will be voting to add the warrant article for the Town
Meeting vote for an override. She also stated that Mr. Dumas also provided a draft FAQ to distribute and there
will be a consistent presentation through each of the listening sessions.
6. Financial Policy Discussion
Ms. Walsh stated that she wanted to defer to next meeting because she has questions for Town Counsel.
Questions from the Community
7. Questions from the community
There were no questions from the community.
Committee Business
8. Survey
Ms. Tarsi-Goldfien stated that she had just sent the word document to the Committee with the general
questions that are on the suvey. Ms. Walsh asked the Committee members to send any feedback to Ms. Tarsi-
Goldfien by tomorrow. Ms. Tarsi-Goldfien stated that she can then send the preview of what the survey will
look like next week. Ms. Walsh stated that then they can coordinate with Ms. Nancy Griffin in the Town
Manager's office on distributing this through the various communications.
9. Discussion of Communication Planning for FY26 Budget
Ms. Walsh stated that this item was a topic of discussion at the Budget Subcommittee about the community
listening sessions. She stated that it will be necessary to have as many Committee members at these sessions
as possible because their opinions will be important to residents. Mr. Feely stated that Town employees can't
influence things so it will be helpful to have Committee members there to give answers. Ms. Tarsi-Goldfien
noted that that Committees should post for meetings in case there is a quorum. Ms. Walsh stated that there
was a request for the Finance Committee to make a recommendation on the budget once it is finalized, so it
may be necessary to have an additional Finance Committee meeting. Mr. Martin asked if the frequently asked
questions document spoke to a multi -year override and Mr. Cooney said it did. Mr. Feely commented that "we
can't cut our way out of this problem" and the expenses are increasing and revenues are not. Mr. Martin asked
if the health insurance rates were finalized yet and Ms. Walsh responded that 15 percent was budgeted and it
came in at 14.9 percent. Ms. Walsh stated another concern is that there is an assumed savings of $300,000 to
health insurance with the roll out of a new plan but there may need to be an adjustment at Fall Town Meeting.
Ms. Tarsi-Goldfien provided an update from the State level on the Governors first budget proposal.
10. Any Items Not Anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting
There were no items.
11. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn th Finance Committee meeting of February 13, 2025 at 6:OOPM. (Feely/Cooney)
Pass s S:
3 7�
a e Date
Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne