HomeMy WebLinkAboutFin Comm Minutes 5/1/2004Town of Mansfield
Finance Committee
May 1, 2004
Presiding: Andres Gazzolo
is
Present: James Lazzara, Frank DelVecchio, Jack Goldberg, Charlene Lavin,
Michael Sams, , Jesse Aptowitz, John D'Agostino, Bea Kearney, Richard
Boucher
Chairman Gazzolo called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.
The purpose of this meeting was to review updated budgets from every department in the
town, except for the fire department (to be done at a later date) and the Schools. What
follows is a listing of every department and any noteworthy changes or open questions.
x indicates there were no unexplained changes or open matters.
Building — There were no changes, but the building inspector indicated that an additional
inspector serving 19 hours per week would be needed next year.
Planning — Additional information regarding line #5114 that shows a 10% increase
requires further explanation.
ZBA - *
Conservation -
Board of Health -
Right to Know -
MIS — GIS salary seems up but may be explained because last year it was allocated to
user departments and now it is recovered through interdepartmental charges.
Technical support Line #5113 is also a reclass and allocated however fincom has
requested a flowchart by function and $.
Fincom has requested an action plan that would integrate all technology support
(including schools administration only) under this 1 department. Such plan should
specify every function to be assumed, resources needed and an implementation timetable.
Municipal Building — Discussed the continuing management of the roof on the
Jordan/Jackson School and this departments involvement in other roof and heating
system specifications.
Assessor — Discussed the need for a full time assessor because the state has mandated
annual valuations while the state audit of this is every 3 years. The cost of revaluations is
expected to decrease over time.
Engineering — Discussed the budget effects of sick leave and buy back provisions.
Recreation - *
Town Clerk — Increases were noted attributed to the number of elections that will occur.
Also, a request for tables was made. Jess indicated he'll ask Home Depot to consider
donating some folding tables.
Historical Commission - *
Airport - *
Library — Discussed the implications of lagging salaries. Andy suggested they prepare
and present a proposal in this area.
Senior Citizen Services - *
Social Services — Discussed funding for grant writer that could bring in a grant estimated
at $600,000.
Personnel - *
Veteran — Discussed possible regionalization of this service with bordering towns.
Treasurer — Discussed the need to formalize the method of computing inter - departmental
charges to enterprise funds. This must be documented and reviewed.
Discussed the continuing effort to collect old taxes fiom cases in land court, tax titles and
foreclosures.
Discussed the merits of going to monthly water /sewer billing and quarterly for real estate
taxes.
Selectmen - *
Town Mgr Personal Serv. — the increase of 8.9% for a secretary/clerk was explained that
it included sick and vacation accruals expected to be paid upon a retirement.
Police — Fincom wanted to be informed of where school crossing guards should be
carried — school or police. A question about avoiding unemployment taxes was raised.
The radio system needs to be rebuilt and looking into a system that will incorporate fire
and other relevant departments.
Discussed the stricture within dispatch causing a 16% increase. Additional explanation
is requested.
Accountant - *
Water — Discussed the merits of a requested 24 hour /week secretarial addition. Noted
that the construction of the new plant will begin next week.
Wastewater — Requested an explanation of the 12.1% scheduled overtime increase. It
was suggested this was 2 years plus steps.
Highway - *
Snow & Ice - *
Public Buildings & Special Projects — Discussed the merits of retaining this department.
Consider a fee schedule for the Green that will cause it to operate at a breakeven.
Currently, it seems to be operating at a deficit of $50,000.
Line item #5400 supplies increase requires further explanation
$11,000 will be eliminated from line #5880 for the ID system and time clock. A system
for use town -wide must be considered.
Public Works Administration - *
MEMA -*
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was:
VOTED: to adjourn the meeting at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
t
Jack B. Goldberg L)
Secretary