HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINCOM MIN 07022009
Town of Mansfield
Finance Committee
Minutes of July 2, 2009
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Attending: James Lazzara
Charlene Lavin
Andres Gazzola
Karl Chambers
Jack Goldberg
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Motion: To Open at 7:30p.m.
(Lavin - Lazzara) 5 - 0 Passes
Mr. Gazzola said that the school committee was invited to the meeting to discuss consolidation and
structure. Ms. Miller said that the schools already coordinate the buildings and ground maintenance with
the town. Mr. Trowbridge said that the last time a study was completed it was found that both the schools
and the town are understaffed. Ms. Miller said that she wasn't sure what could be consolidated. Mr.
Gazzola said that they should focus on systems and that they should look at what can be maintained in
house or through outside providers.
Mr. Gazzolo said that the operators, the people who actually do the work, should be consulted to see
what they think could be consolidated or become more efficient. Mr. Trowbridge suggested that they look
at the last study to see what was discovered.
Mr. Gazzola said that they need the agreement of the school committee in order to move forward and
begin to look at these things.
Mr. Moran said that they should really look at the entire organization to see where the true savings could
really be. He suggested that a committee be formed to spearhead this project. He said that the town is
limiting their results by only looking at a few things and that if they were to take an approach to look at
things from the top to the bottom that there would be greater long term benefits.
Mr. Dentino said that while he feels consolidation is a good thing he does not agree with forming a
committee. He said that they should consider looking at outsourcing. Mr. Goldberg said that by
conducting a study they will best be able to identify the areas that could potentially be outsourced. He
said that in that case the people who perform the function can make a proposal on how it should be done.
Mr. Lazzara agreed and said that if they don't look at everything they could potentially miss something
important.
Ms. Levine suggested waiting until a new town manager is appointed. Mr. Gazzola disagreed and said
that it will take months to gather all of the necessary information and that it would be wasted time to wait
for the new town manager to begin. Ms. Miller pointed out that the new town manager should work to fit
with the town and not the other way around.
Mr. Gazzola suggested that they focus on a few people to sit on a committee to work on this. He asked
that the school committee volunteer someone as well as the board of selectmen. He also said that the
finance committee would have a volunteer as well. He also said that any suggested changes would need
to be approved by both the board of selectmen and the school committee.
Mr. Lazzara suggested that fiscal year 2011 be reviewed in its entirety as it poses a big problem for the
town. Mr. Trowbridge suggested that the state healthcare plan be reviewed again as a cost saving
measure; and since the contracts will all be up within a year it's the perfect time. Mr. Lazzara agreed and
said that it would be ideal to do that now since they have time on their side.
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Vote
Motion to approve the interdepartmental transfer of funds for fiscal year 2009 from the library technical
support to library electric and the transfer from library technical support to library books/reference.
(Lavin - Chambers) 5 - 0 Passes
Mr. Lazzara said that the town manager's secretary created an updated version of the reserve fund
transfer form.
Mr. Gazzolo told the committee that there is a possible shortage in revenue for fiscal year 2009 since the
funds expected in permitting did not all come through; this could potentially create a negative free cash
account.
Mr. Riccio explained that the budget is being converted to a new software program which will allow it to
be viewed in various ways.
Vote
Motion to approve the minutes of June 4.
(Lazzara - Chambers) 5 - 0 Passes
Vote
Motion to approve minutes of June 11.
(Lazzara - Chambers) 5 - 0 Passes
Motion: To Close at 8:55p.m.
(Lazzara - Lavin) 5 - 0 Passes
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Date of Approval
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