Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes04182012 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 18, 2012 Present: Chairman Jess Aptowitz, Vice Chairman Olivier Kozlowski, Clerk Douglas Annino, Selectmen Moran, Selectman George Dentino William Ross Town Manager Absent: Joint budge discussion School Committee/Board of Selectmen School Superintendent Brenda Hodges and the School Committee are present at meeting. Chairman Aptowitz provided the audience with a recap of the budget process and how Mr. Ross and Mrs. Hodges have been working together to create a balanced budget. Mr. Ross read a prepared statement regarding the budget process past and present. Both he, the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee have received comments from the community that the town needs to operate as a whole. As such, the Strategic Planning process was developed and is being implemented by Dr. Mullin. The public Charrette's have been very helpful in letting us know where we need to work. Town government is a service organization and we want to supply the town with not only public safety but vial services such as trash, road maintenance and recreation facilities. As such Mr. Ross recommends that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the budget as presented. Mrs. Hodges then provided a brief statement regarding the educational needs of the community, now and in the future years. Mrs. Hodges agrees with Mr. Ross that the town needs to operate as one and as such they need to work together to create a balanced budget, before the night of town meeting. Mrs. Hodges also recommends that the School Committee vote to approve the budget as presented. A $3.2 Million deficit has been erased by using about $1.3 Million in free cash, making slight municipal and school cuts plus factoring in some revenue increases. 1.37 Million in free cash, $432,638 on the municipal side and $934,109 for the school side will balance out the budget. Originally the free cash was earmarked for accrued retirement health care costs and road improvements. However, these items will now be funded through borrowing. Board of Selectmen Minutes of AprillB, 2012 FinComm Vice Chairman James Lazzara spoke to the boards about how they usually develop their recommendations for the budget. While this agreement has been crafted by the town manager and school superintendent and agreed upon by their boards, the finance committee does not support this budget plan nor the municipal bonding for the capital expenses that were to be paid through free cash. Selectman Kozlowski stated he stands by his recent statement that the residents deserve better. When both municipal and school sides are afraid to make cuts because of the perception that if they make cuts too soon, the other side will believe more cuts can be made; the budget process ends looking like a game. Selectman Kozlowski then asked Mr. Lazzara to explain why the Finance Committee advised the selectmen, acting as light commissioners, to borrow funds for the Bird Road substation when there was more than enough cash on hand, but were now advising the selectmen not to borrow for road work. Mr. Lazzara explained how one is a one-time capital expense while the other is an operational expense. Mr. Ross further explained how the town will be freeing up additional funding soon as bonds have been or will be expired. Perhaps they will be able to hold a special town meeting to release these bonds and use the funds to pay for current short term bonded items. Selectman Kozlowski asked Mr. Vozella and Mr. Lazzara about the use of school revolving funds, whether they should be using more of $3.7 million now in those funds to close the budget gap and whether the Finance Committee thought the school department was using the revolving funds appropriately. Mr. Vozella briefly explained how they use funds to supplement parts of the school budget. Mr. Lazzara confirmed that the Finance Committee believed the school department was using the funds appropriately. Selectman Annino stated that while he realizes the town needs a great school to educate their children, they also need good roads to drive on and reliable public safety services. He too is concerned that they are rushing the budget to town meeting as they just got it. Selectman Dentino had a couple of questions about the items to be bonded. Mr. Vozella spoke of the school repairs that will be bonded instead of paying with free cash. Mr. Lazzara further explained the use of free cash for one- time expenses vs. operational expenses. Board af Selectmen Minutes of April 18, 2012 2 Selectman Dentino agrees with Selectman Annino that perhaps town meeting needs to be delayed until the budget can be fully digested. He also knows that the town needs good schools but we have to be responsible with the money we have available. Selectman Dentino stated "The band aid is holding it together but we will continue to bleed until the blood clots." Benefits and salaries are our largest expense and are continuing to grow. We need to stop the bleeding and spend within our means. Residents state that they are willing to pay more for services and activities. Perhaps we should let them. Selectman Moran stated that early on Mr. Ross asked the Board of Selectmen what they wanted out of the budget. He stated that he wanted a firefighter restored. While this is more free cash than he is comfortable with, he trusts Mr. Ross's judgment and if he states we need it, we need it. This is the best year that he has seen with the town/schools working together. If this borrowing is what we need to get through and hopefully have a better fiscal year, next year, than he is in support of the plan. Chairman Aptowitz stated that it is important to support the town manager and we rely on his judgment to do the best for the town. We all know that the fiscal year budget is a working document and we have to do what is needed, when it is needed. Mr. Trowbridge stated that if state aid comes back less than expected they will reduce their budget accordingly. A discussion ensued on the possibility of moving town meeting to a later date. Town Accountant John Stanbrook came to the podium and briefly spoke of how he formulated the numbers to create a balanced budget. Even though the numbers are not fully set from the state and fincomm is not fully prepared to provide a recommendation, the school committee is comfortable with going forward and having town meeting next Tuesday. Selectman Kozlowski asked Mr. Lazzara if town meeting was delayed would the fincomm be presenting a different budget than proposed? Mr. Lazzara stated that fincomm does not formulate the budget; they advise the town on what is available and what will happen with the use of available (and borrowed) funds. They are to recommend, or not, the proposed budget and point out areas where there are issues. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 18. 2012 3 Selectman Annino would like the fincomm have more time to review the budget as they have always relied on their recommendations. Motion: To postpone town meeting to May 22, 2012. (Annino/Dentino) 1:4 fails. (Annino aye) Motion: To postpone town meeting to May 1't. (Kozlowski! Annino) 3:2 passes (Dentino/Moran nay) Motion: To accept budget as presented. (Moran/ Annino) 3:2 passes (Annino/Kozlowski nay) Selectman Dentino does not believe it is wise to use free cash however, he will vote for it as it is the less of two evils. (layoffs and cuts) Motion: FROM School Committee: To accept budget as presented. (Losiewicz/Miller) 5:0 passes Selectman Kozlowski doesn't feel we need to move town meeting if we are going to go ahead and accept the budget this evening. School Committee Chairman Trowbridge read a brief statement regarding how budget cuts have affected the schools the past few years and how a shortfall in the budget would devastate the system this year if this agreement had not been made. Motion: Reconsideration of moving town meeting to May 1't. (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Motion: To hold town meeting on May 1st (Kozlowski/Dentino) 1:4 fails. (Kozlowski aye) While Mr. Ross appreciates the fact that fincomm wants a chance to deliver their budget projections, they don't have to make the cuts or decisions on where the funds come from. The town manager and superintendent have worked hard to formula a plan that is satisfactory to both sides. Unfortunately that includes the use of some free cash. Mr. Ross additionally stated that while an analysis is appreciated and educational, we know what have to work with and are doing it the best we can. Delaying town meeting will not change that. Town Meeting Warrant discussion Article 1: FY13 budget appropriations for municipal expenses in the amount of $38,844,364.00. Motion: To support (Moran/Dentino) 4:1 passes (Annino nay) Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 18. 2012 4 Article 2: FY13 budget appropriations for the school dept. in the amount of $41,772,232.00 Article 3: Appropriation from Electric Dept. receipts for MMED maintenance and plant operations. Motion: To support (Moran/Dentino) 5:0 passes Article 4: Establishes FY13 budget appropriations for the water enterprise fund. $4,244,285.00 Motion: To support (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 5: Establishes FY13 budget appropriations for the wastewater enterprise fund. Motion: To support (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 6: Establishes FY13 budget appropriations for the airport enterprise fund. $74,090.00 Motion: To support for the Airport Commission (Kozlowski/ Annino) 5:0 passes Article 7: Establish FY13 budget appropriations for the Parking Enterprise Fund. $483,000.00 Motion: To support (Moran/Dentino) 5:0 passes Article 8: Transfers FAA and Mass DOT grants received to reimburse the airport capital account. Motion: To support for the Airport Commission (Kozlowski/ Annino) 5:0 passes Article 9: Transfers the earnings from previous years budget for use by the Airports Capital Improvement Program. $108,192.00 Motion: To support for the Airport Commission (Kozlowski! Annino) 5:0 passes Article 10: Transfer budgetary amounts to and from different line items to cover deficits. Motion: To support (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 11: Town related, establishes FY13 budget appropriations for the wastewater enterprise fund. Motion: To support (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 12: Establishes FY13 budget appropriations for the wastewater enterprise fund. Motion: To support (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Article 13: Transfer money into the capital stabilization trust fund. Motion: withdrawn Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 18, 2012 5 Article 14: Transfer insurance claim reimbursement funds back into PD capital outlay budget. $31,544.00 Motion: To support (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Article 15: Transfer legal settlement amount back into the Town Managers FY12 budget. $25,000.00 Motion: withdrawn Article 16: Transfer a sum of money into the Town's Stabilization Fund. Motion: withdrawn Article 17: To pay outstanding unpaid FY12 bills. $89,650.93 Motion: To support (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 18: WWTP- To pay outstanding unpaid FY12 bills. $23,180.80 Motion: To support (Annino/Dentino) 5:0 passes Article 19: Household hazardous waste collection. $6,650.00 Motion: To support (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Article 20: Annual article that allows town residents to receive real estate tax exemptions. Motion: To support (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 21: Two-thirds payment of the FY14 revaluation of all town properties by the Board of Assessors. $111,800.00 Motion: To support (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 22: Place $400,000.00 into the OPEB Trust Fund to fund a portion of future retirement costs. Motion: To support (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 23: To use funds paid by commuter to design and build better access to the train. Commuter Rail Access Improvement Account $200,000.00 Motion: To support (Moran/ Annino) 4:1 passes (Dentino nay) Article 24: Establish a building inspector -directed revolving fund FY13 Motion: To support (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 25: Establish a police directed revolving fund for FY13 Motion: To support (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April!8. 20!2 6 Article 26: Establish a library directed revolving fund for FY13 Motion: To support (Moran/ Annino) 5:0 passes Article 27: Establish an EMS directed revolving fund for FY13. Motion: To support (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 28: Establish a fire dept. directed revolving fund for FY13 Motion: To support (Annino/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Article 29: Establish a procedure for disposing of tailings. Motion: To support (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Article 30: The revenue sources in article 5 (2011 town meeting) contained an inadvertent error. This article will correct the sources of funding. Motion: To support (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Article 31: Authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition for special Home Rule legislation that would allow the town to enact a public endangerment act. Motion: To support (Kozlowski/Moran) Article 32: Protective custody costs recovery by- law proposal-m- waiting Article 33: Rt. 106 mural proposal by the non- profit Mural Committee. Proposed to be part of the North End beautification project. Motion: To support (Kozlowski/Moran) ----- withdrawn Article 34: Utilization of easement on Copeland St. for East Mansfield substation electrical lines. Motion: Done at MMED meeting (supported) Article 35: Removing the filing fee schedule from the wetland protection bylaw. It could then be modified by the Conservation Commission. Motion: To support (Annino/Dentino) 5:0 passes Article 36: To allow the Conservation Commission to accept a wildlife habitat report from a consultant in lieu of a site visit from Natural Heritage. Motion: To support (Moran/Dentino) 4:1 passes (Kozlowski nay) Article 37: Transfer of properties (tax taken) to the Conservation Commission. These parcels abut NRT land. Motion: To support for the Conservation Commission (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of April IS, 2012 7 Article 38: Transfer of tax taken parcel to the Conservation Commission. This would help insure protection of the Canoe River aquifer. Motion: To support for the Conservation Commission (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Article 39: Parcel as identified as Map 14, Lot 20 has back taxes owed to town. Owner wants to deed over to Conservation Commission in lieu of payment. Motion: To support for the Conservation Commission (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Dan Pascussi, Riverview Drive. He agrees with the Fincomm's position that the town cannot afford to pad the budget with monies that is not sustainable. We will be in the same position next year as this year without increased revenue. Paul Burke, 31 Bellview Drive. We need to be teaching our children responsibility. However, the actions of the School Committee have been irresponsible in not providing a budget that they (and the town) can afford. He has been on the FinComm and sees how the town/school spending has been careless and Fincomm's recommendations ignored. He requests that the Board of Selectmen vote to delay town meeting until the state figures are in and our budget situation is clear. Gary Forget, East St. The bonding for the roads will cost more than fixing then again in 5 years. The town is also drowning in personnel costs and raises. Teachers and administrators have been well paid and if they truly care about expenses they might want to give back a little to help support school services. Mr. Ross stated that they have been able to save a lot on health care costs for the past year, current year and FY13. The municipal side has also consolidated town services where they can. MA unions are very strong and we dealt with them the best we can to reduce costs. Freddi Salden, resident and school teacher. She stated that the education of our children should be a top priority and that the town needs to support the schools with what they need to do so. Terry Becker, Emerson Circle, class size matters and the schools need all the teachers and administrators they have in order to run a proper school system. She also appreciates the collaborative effort that the town has put forward. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 18, 2012 8 Weekly Business Motion: Extend meeting to llpm. (Moran/Kozlowski) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 12042T in the amount of $154,835.89 Motion: To approve (Annino/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 12042E in the amount of $501,769.55 Motion: To approve (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 120425 in the amount of $427,350.41 Motion: To approve (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 12042PT in the amount of $265,828.40 Motion: To approve (Kozlowski/Moran) 4:1 passes (Dentino nay) Warrant No. 12042TV in the amount of $78,576.47 Motion: To approve (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Minutes of February 15,2012 bos meeting. Motion: To approve. (Kozlowski/ Annino) 4:0:1 passes (Moran abstain) Minutes of March 28, 2012 bos meeting. Motion: To approve. (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Minutes of April 4, 2012 bos meeting. Motion: To approve. (Kozlowski/ Annino) 5:0 passes Banner request from Mansfield Bank to advertise free counseling service for residents. Discussion on allowing for profit organizations banner space over Rt. 106 even if they are advertising free services. The board has always done this for non- profits and community groups. However they are uncomfortable with allowing ads for profit business regardless of cause. Motion: To approve (Kozlowski/ Annino) 1:4 fails. (Aptowitz aye) Bond anticipation notes from Roxanne Donovan, Treasurer/Collector. Motion: To approve as presented. (Kozlowski/Moran) 5:0 passes Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 18, 2012 9 . Letter from State Police Superintendent inviting the Board of Selectmen to attend a dedication honoring Sergeant Douglas Weddleton. . Invitation from Veteran Agent John Hogan regarding Memorial Day Parade on May 28th. · Letter of concern from Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee regarding article 40, repeal of wetland regs. · Letter from the NPGF Committee regarding their recommendations for 2012 grants. The following list is the recommendations of the Non-Profit Gift Fund Committee for donations for the fiscal year, 2012. For your information, we received twelve applications and recommend grants to nine. With a total of $30,481.46 available, the grants are as follows: Town: . Parks & Recreation: Documentation of the Old Town Cemetery continued $1,500.00 Schools: . Mansfield Oliver Ames Girls Val'. HS Ice Hockey Team: Provide "Away" uniforms $2,500.00 . Band Parents: Replace vinyl flooring, drum set, cymbals, color guard equipment $5,376.00 . Mansfield HS Robotics Team: Wish list of various equipment needed/requested for the club $3,025.00 Other: . Natural Resources Trust: Build a boardwalk in Red Trail, Great Wood $5,000.00 . MMAS: Completion of the "green" lighting project $8,230.00 . UnCommon Theatre Company: Replace oil tank, fill and vent pipes and oil line in Hm1well School $2,300.00 . Our Daily Bread: 6 wagons to bring foods to cars $496.86 Doll E. Daze Project & Museum Inc.: Provide cultural programming to promote cultural diversity. Luther King, Jr. celebration costs $2,050.00 Total granted: $30,477.86 Balance in account: $3.60 Motion: To approve. (Kozlowski/Moran) 4:1 passes (Aptowitz nay) Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 18. 2012 10 Town None 80S Updates . Selectman Kozlowski: None . Chairman Aptowitz: It was a difficult night but they did get a lot accomplished by the end of the meeting. He doesn't like everything in the budget but he supports Mr. Ross's decision as to if it's the right way to go. Mr. Ross really appreciates the boards support and kind words. He respects the position of the Fincomm and appreciates their input. They just didn't agree this time. . Selectman Annino: Great meeting tonight with lots of board/committee and resident input. Would like to put town GL insurance out to bid. Mr. Ross is working on it. . Selectman Moran: Tough meeting but you can never make everyone happy. There was a rash of car break-ins this past weekend so please lock your car. . Selectman Dentino: He is saddened that the FinComm was not involved in the process this year. They work too hard at the budget process not to have a chance to make a recommendation before the board. Adjournment Motion: Adjourn meeting at 10:56 pm (Moran) 5:0 passes 1)O<<9/M. AIfflffl<J Signature of Clerk ;111'~ 23, 2012 Date of Approval Boord of Selectmen Minutes of April 18. 2012 11