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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes02162011 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16, 2011 Present: Chairman Kevin Moran, Vice Chairman George Dentino, Clerk Douglas Annino Selectman Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Olivier Kozlowski William Ross, Town Manager. Absent: Comcast Cable Ascertainment of Needs Cable Access Advisory Committee is present for meeting. (Louis Amoruso, Richard Gordon, Rick Mahoney) and William August, attorney for committee. Lou Amoruso is Chair of the committee and they have met with government and Comcast officials a couple of times so far. The Comcast agreement does not expire until March 2013 however now is the time to lay the ground work for ascertainment of needs for equipment and services. Lori Sheehan, resident and cable service advocate, spoke about the difference of service between Comcast and Verizon. Many residents in Bristol County cannot receive Boston channels as they are designated as the "Providence market." That designation has caused quite a stir within many communities and they are fighting to get re-designated by the FCC as the Boston market. Selectman Dentino thanked the Committee for all their hard work in negotiating the Verizon contract and knows they will do great with Comcast. Chairman Moran is also on the committee and has had previous experience with cable contract negotiations. Committee Chairman Amoruso recapped what they received from Verizon after their negotiations were complete. Selectman Aptowitz reiterated the frustration of Ms. Sheehan as this has been an issue for years now. Selectman Kozlowski asked Atty. August about bundled services offered by Comcast. Atty. August stated they can talk to Comcast about these consumer issues however they can't bargain for it or place in cable contract language. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16. 2011 Chairman Moran thanked the Committee for coming in and providing an update of their activities. Innovation Awards Program Mansfield Cost Savings Incentive Program (Municipal & Electric Department) 1. Eliaibility. The Cost Savings Incentive Program is open to all legal residents of the U.S., except for the Mansfield Board of Selectmen (the "Board"), the Town Manaaer and their households. 2. Submission of sUaaestions. Suggestions are to be submitted in writing to the Board of Selectmen and will be made public at the next meeting of the Board. In the event duplicate, identical suggestions are made, only the first submission received by the office of the Board of Selectmen will be eligible for a reward. Suggestions must provide sufficient detail to identify specific reductions in projected spending in the current and/or upcoming fiscal year within the Town of Mansfield municipal or electric department budgets. Suggestions relating to the school department are not eligible under this municipal/ electric department incentive program. 3. Review. The Board and Town Manager will review each suggestion and may seek input from appropriate department head(s) and any other sources they deem appropriate. 4. Determination on the merits. Once all information sought by the Board of Selectmen has been received, the Board will consider the suggestion at a public meeting. The Board will consider any applicable laws, regulations and contracts applicable to the suggestion. The final decision on whether to implement the suggestion rests with the Board of Selectmen, in their sole discretion. 5. Reward. If the Board votes to proceed with the implementation of the suggestion, the submitter will be eligible for a reward, pendina approval by Town Meetina, as per the attached schedule, to be paid out of the savings actually realized from the implementation of the suggestion. The term "savings" means the reduction in spending already budgeted for in the present fiscal year and/or the next fiscal year, if the budget for the next fiscal year has been finalized, but does NOT extend into any subsequent fiscal years. Payment will be made at the time the avoided spending would have occurred. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16. 2011 2 6. Decisions final. All decisions of the Board of Selectmen, as to any aspect of this program, are final. 7. Forfeiture of reward. If any person who submits an idea under this program later challenges any aspect of the program, the amount of the reward or the lack of a reward in a court of law, then any reward based on the submission(s) in question shall be deemed forfeited. Reward Schedule Option 1: '/'01 of savings, with a minimum realized savings of $100 to be eligible for a reward. Examples: $1 on $100 savings $50 on $5,000 savings $250 on $25,000 savings $1,500 on $150,000 savings Option 2: Stepped-up flat fee: $10 for $100 to $1,000 $50 for $1,000.01 to $5,000 $100 for $5,000.01 to $10,000 $500 for $10,000.01 to $50,000 $1,000 for $50,000.01 and up After a lengthy discussion among the board members, this program will be worked on again at a future meeting. FinComm budget presentation Jim Lazzara from the Finance Committee was present for discussion. MANSFIELD FY12 BUDGET Preliminary Analysis (February 16, 2011) Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16. 2011 3 1- ECONOMIC CLIMATE . National Level: Less revenues predicted for the forthcoming years Federal employees with pay freeze . State Level: Revenues for Town and cities being affected down. 2- FINCOM OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS . Do not add new programs or services . Do not forget Unfunded Liabilities 3- MAJOR PROBLEM AREAS . Majority of Unions not agreeing to concessions (Health Care, salaries) . Net Revenue decrease . Unfunded Liability . Capital AS OF TODAY MANSFIELD FY12 BUDGET: DEFICITS / SURPLUS versus Requested Budgets: (in K$) School Administration Town Administration Total (3,284) (183) (3,467) Deficit drivers: . Schools Administration: 43 new hires, Salaries, Benefits . Town Administration: Benefits, Snow & Ice IF SCHOOLS DO NOT HIRE AND ADD PROGRAMS (ENHANCEMENTS): . Deficit of $300,000. FINCOM recommends no enhancements based on future net revenue stream. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16, 2011 4 FYl1 versus FY12 (in K$) 1. REVENUES . Total Property Tax . Local Receipts . Excluded Revenue . Transfer from Other Sources . SBSB Reimbursements Net Revenue Change 2. EXPENSES . Total debt service . Transfer from Other Sources . Municipal Salaries . Municipal Benefits . Municipal Expenses . School Salaries . School Benefits . School Expenses Net Expenses Change 1,400 o (1,000) (1,400) (600) $ (1,600) (2,000) (1,400) 200 180 300 3,100 750 770 $ 1,900 Selectman Kozlowski asked about the required net school spending amount and the projected budget with 43 new hires. Mr. Lazzara stated they are still working on the figures with the School Committee. Selectman Dentino asked if the school side budget has included any stimulus funds. Mr. Lazzara stated no, the requested budget is in addition to any funds they have received. Chairman Moran stated a more in depth discussion will be forth coming when the Board of Selectmen meets with the School Committee. Council on Aging interview Thomas Keogh, Wicklow Lane resident and Pharmacist. Enjoys working with the elderly and would like to contribute to the COA board. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16. 2011 5 The board had nothing but praise for Mr. Keogh and thanked him for applying. Motion: To appoint Mr. Keogh to the COA Board of Directors. (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Animal Welfare Committee interviews Chester MacKean, Jr. Cobb St. resident and current alternate member on Committee. He would like to apply for full seat that is available on Committee. Lori Zola, Colonial Drive resident. Current volunteer at the shelter and would like to get involved in the Committee as well. Selectman Dentino welcomed the applicants to the meeting and thanked them for their service to the animal shelter. Selectman Kozlowski and the rest of the board thanked the candidates for their interest and dedication to the shelter. Motion: To appoint Chester MacKean to a full member seat expiring January 2013. (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Motion: To appoint Lori Zola to an alternate member seat expiring January 2012. (Kozlowski/Dentino) 5:0 passes Mr. MacKean provided the board with an update on what is going on at the new shelter. There was a house fire recently and they were able to provide shelter to the owners 13 cats that they would not have been able to do at the old shelter. Q & C None Weekly Business Warrant No. 1l033T in the amount of $346,191.04 Motion: To approve (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Warrant No. l1033E in the amount of $2,029,822.16 Motion: To approve (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 4:0:1 passes (Dentino abstain) Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16. 2011 6 Motion: To approve (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen meeting minutes of February 9, 2011 Motion: To hold for next week. Correspondence · Letter from West St. resident regarding the maintenance of storm drains and sidewalks was discussed and Mr. Ross stated the town is looking at acquiring more snow removal equipment. . Letter from Mrs. Levine regarding electric demand testing in AMB Properties. She is requesting a change in MMED policy. This issue will be discussed at the next Electric Light Commissioners meeting. . Letter from Police Chief O'Neill regarding downtown parking. Mansfield Bank has arranged for private parking for some of their employees. Chief O'Neill would like to issue 5 parking hangers and requests the board approval. Motion: To approve request for 5 hangers. (Annino/Kozlowski) 4:1 passes (Dentino nay) Town Managers Report . New parking system (phone app) at commuter lots will start next week. · SMHG started self insuring (health insurance) last year and there should be significant savings to the town soon. · ADA has issued new legislation regarding the use of service animals in municipal buildings. Mr. Ross is disturbed that the Federal and State government continues to load local government with more and more "policy" and less resources to fund them. BOS Updates . Selectman Kozlowski: None tonight. . Selectman Aptowitz: Looking for update on Town Accountant search. Mr. Ross has received 8-10 applications so far. Also looking for retiree mitigation fund update from the Treasurer's Office. . Selectman Annino: crp will be meeting tomorrow night. The strategic planning process will begin soon as well. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16.2011 7 . Selectman Dentino: Time sheets for repair work at the Highway Garage. Mr. Ross believes it has been implemented and will get back to the board. . Chairman Moran: Please email TM evaluation to the Board of Selectmen. Adjournment Motion: Adjourn at 9:50pm (Aptowitz) 5:0 passes i9()f4fJl~ ~ Signature of Clerk 'Pt~04 4 2t?11 Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 16, 2011 8