Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 05/15/2025Town of Man�field 6 Park Bay, Mansfield, Massarbasetts 02048 Finance Committee 10 JUN 21 A Meeting Minutes Mav 15. 2025 Present: Ms. Sara Walsh, Chair; Mr. Scott Feely, Vice Chair; Mr. Ryan Martin,jCj$fk; and!Nih; faW honey were present in the Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hail. Ms. Greta Thurston-Loukos was present virtually via GoToWebinar. Mr. Matthew Violette, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director was also present. Not Present: Ms. Melinda Tarsi-Goldfien and Mr. Michael Flaherty Opening Meeting; • Open Meeting Ms. Walsh called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 7:01 PM. She then read the broadcast message stating that the meeting was being broadcast live and recorded. • Approval of Minutes Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of April 17, 2025 and April 30, 2025. (Feely/Cooney) Passes 5:0 Financial Updates • Reserve Fund Transfer Request Mr. Mike Ahern was present for this reserve fund transfer request that was related to the cell phone tower lease that was approved at Town Meeting. He stated that Tarpon Tower is the company that the lease is with. He stated that the Town is hoping to relocate the police and fire antenna to this tower but need a shelter building at the base of the tower to house some of the necessary equipment. He stated that the structure will be eight feet by ten feet. He then noted that a second shelter building is needed at the Oxford Street Tower and he is going to have both of them built to save on costs. The members of the Finance Committee asked some questions. Motion: To approve the $50,000 General Fund Reserve Fund Transfer to Account Number 01192200-524000 Public Buildings — Repair and Maintenance. (Feely/Martin) Roll Call Vote G. Loukos—Yes J. Cooney —Yes R. Martin —Yes S. Feely —Yes S. Walsh —Yes Passes 5:0 • FY25 Financial Update Mr. Violette began the update stating that things are tracking as expected and are now eighty percent of the way through the fiscal year. He stated that water revenues are ninety-three percent collected, sewer is eighty-two percent collected. He stated that the Select Board would be voting on water and sewer rates at their next meeting. He then stated that the Parking Enterprise is ninety percent collected and Airport Enterprise is ninety-five percent collected. Ms. Walsh stated that a meeting will be needed at the end of June to do the final transfers that may be needed. The committee agreed to meet on June 26'h due to the Juneteenth holiday falling on the third Thursday. • FY26 Update and Follow Up from Town Meeting and Election Ms. Walsh stated that the ballot vote on the override did not pass and wanted to discuss how the Town is moving forward with the balanced budget. Mr. Violette stated that the next steps will be meeting with the unions to discuss the reduction of employees. He stated that are going to discuss Mansfield Green reducing to one day instead of three or if one day of hours is split over a couple days. Mr, Martin asked if there could be a fee paid so that it could stay open more. Mr. Martin commented that he has heard from people that Mansfield Green only being open for one day is going to be a challenge. Mr. Cooney asked for perspective on how the list of reductions came about. Mr. Violette responded that there were many discussions. He stated that departments will have reductions across their budgets, household hazardous waste day is eliminated and the most public facing item is the reduction of hours at Mansfield Green. Mr. Feely commented that he has heard people say there was not enough engagement with the public but he was unsure how they could have done more because there were lots of meetings and opportunities, Ms. Walsh stated that for next year it will be helpful if a Political Action Committee (PAC) is formed to spread the information. Mr. Cooney commented that it is important to have people come and share what they think and need to hear from them earlier in the process. Ms. Walsh commented that she hopes there is a negative increase in the health insurance next year however it is likely another override will be brought forward. Mr. Violette then stated that the new high deductible plan that was offered has had very low enrollment so far. Mr. Martin commented that there needs to be a sharper look because he thought people would want level services but based on the vote at Town Meeting and the ballot people want reductions, Mr. Violette commented that the reductions made this year were the least impact to the public but they are greatly impacting departments. Mr. Violette stated that there is no longer health insurance stabilization funds to use next year, there is new debt of $1.2M and if health insurance increase is high again then it will be even tougher next year. Mr. Cooney commented that there are people who want to keep the services but the Town spoke two to one that they do not want to pay a nickel more in taxes. Mr. Feely stated that he heard one -person comment after an info session that the cuts were just 'fluff' and there is lots more 'fluff that can be cut from the budget and do not know how hard people are working. Ms. Loukos echoed that 2,900 people voted in the election and 2,900 people did not show up to the info sessions and thinks it is possible that they did not know what was being cut. She thinks it will be important for next year to show what services will be cut. Mr. Martin commented that next year there is going to be a difficult road to propose an override that will pass with the current population. Mr. Martin thought the survey may help provide some information and show what is important to residents. Mr. Feely stated that a line item override may work where the people can vote to support funds for specific items or departments. Mr. Violette responded that they call that a menu override and it is an option but most communities do not do that. He also added that he thinks people liked that there was a balanced budget and an override budget, • Article 1 Motion 3 Language Ms. Walsh stated that she invited Ms. Levine to attend this meeting but she was not available tonight but she does want to understand why the language is in the article and why the Finance Committee supports the language. Ms. Walsh asked Mr. Violette to explain why this language is important. He responded that this question comes up at a lot of Town Meetings and Mansfield used to vote departmental budgets. If Town Meeting was voting on the line item budget then transfers could not be made regularly amongst different departments. Mr. Violette explained the only way to transfer money between departments or lines would be to go to Town Meeting or during the last two months of the fiscal year the Select Board and Finance Committee can approve the transfers. The benefit to the language that is now included in the warrant article provides flexibility throughout the year if funds need to be moved. He then provided an example that at Highway the FY26 budget of vehicle maintenance is reduced. If there is a big repair needed for a fire truck there is no money left for any other repairs. Mr. Feely commented that the schools already have the flexibility and this provides the Town with the same flexibility. Mr. Martin commented that this was his first year going through the budget process and asked if the schools typically get their budget in so close to Town Meeting or was this year unique. Ms. Walsh stated that they have a budget in December however there is not usually specificity until its closer to Town Meeting. • Pension Funding Discussion There was no discussion. • School Financial Update from Liaisons There was no update Questions from the Community • Questions from the Community There were no questions from the community. Committee Business • Survey Ms. Tarsi-Goldfien was not present so there was no update on the survey. • Policy Update Ms. Walsh stated that she has emailed Town Counsel to get their opinion on the policies. • Liaison/Committee Updates Mr. Cooney stated that he received an email and the Audit Committee is planning to meet in September. • Member Comments Ms. Walsh Stated that she looked at the Bristol County Pension and the Town should have been caught up by 2028 and then the formula changed and the anticipated date to be caught up will not be until 2035. She further noted that in and last report the Town was still only 70%funded. Mr. Martin stated that he could help because he has experience working on pensions. Ms. Loukos commented that she was excited about getting the survey out. Mr. Cooney agreed that it would be good to get it out while it is fresh in peoples mind. • Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Finance Committee meeting of May 15, 2025 at 8:06PM. (Martin/Feely) Passes 5:0 -2 �-! 2 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne 6�Zd?uz,,.- Date