HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINCOM09112014Town of Mansfield
Finance Committee
Minutes of September 11, 2014
RECEIVED
TTIf`N C? ERKS OFFICE
Present: Steve Schoonveld, Chairman; Walter Wilk, Vice Chairman; L'�l tq,�Cle ,, bers: Michael
O'Brien; Scott Feely; and James Bazinet; Bill Ross, Town Manager; G JATn it 4 ha rmman of Board of
Selectmen and Jess Aptowtiz,Vice- Chairman Board of Selectmen MANSF t[LD
IAfkSSA CHI U T T S
Absent: Yogen Chemburkar, Member
Call to Order: Chairman Schoonveld called the meeting to order at 7:35pm
FY 2015 Goals Discussion with Guests from the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager
Selectmen Dentino, Aptowitz and Bill Ross, Town Manager.
The Finance Committee has been putting together goals for the upcoming year and has been working on
enhancing communication with residents. Bob Saquet, Town Moderator came to the last Finance Committee
meeting.
Finance Committee Members have a total of over 120 years in the community.
Address specific and emerging challenges
• Declining school enrollment which has the potential to impact future budgets
• Risk to our industrial complex tax base
• Need for funding our infrastructure improvements (DPW, Fire, Police)
• Declining resident participation in town matters
• Need to update and fulfill the strategic plan objectives
• What are the consequences?
• How do we address these challenges?
• Continue to collaborate with the use of the budget subcommittee
• Develop partnerships early in the process between committees, boards and administration
• Inform, plan and listen well before Town Meeting is convened
• Communication (Town Meeting attendance over the last I 1 years. The population has doubled over
the last 10 years, however, less people are attending Town Meeting).
• Problem
• Too few residents participate in town meeting
• Access to information is improving but limited (more signage)
• Town Meeting is too long with few in attendance
• Consequences
• Disenfranchised and unengaged residents
• Necessary town initiatives are delayed
• A general lack of trust
• Solution
o Determine what discourages participation by residents
o Resolve to attain a goal of "X " participating in town meeting
o Improve how we communicate with voters (FINCOM will produce position papers on
financial items; hold Q &A information sessions during each week in the month leading up to
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Finance Committee Meeting September 11, 2014
town meeting; make use of a wide array of media — social, print, cable access, YouTube; etc)
• Budget analytics /metrics
o Use of the visual budget tool
o Enhance transparency
• An improved controls environment to increase the reliance on the financial statements by FINCOM
and the town.
• Financial policies approved by FINCOM, School Committee and Board of Selectmen
• Continue to enhance John Stanbrook's evolving role
• Follow CIP committee example (well run)
• Apply financial judgment to the strategic plan objectives
• Overall goal = a continuous improvement environment (utilize financials)
Walter Wilk feels we should be soliciting more industry in the industrial park.
Jess Aptowitz states that getting more residents at Town Meeting has been a huge topic of conversation
Bill Ross sees Town Meeting as a way to show the town all the hard work it takes to get to this well run
place.
Walter Wilk feels getting information out to the residents at least a month before town meeting is important.
Bill Ross feels social media has been a huge outlet for the residents.
George Dentine, feels people are happy with boards and sub committees and that does not attract voters
'?egativity attracts attendance.
Board of selectmen's goals and objectives are still a work in progress.
Update on the Implementation of the Financial.policies
Bill Ross states financial policies are in the hands of the school committee and with the change in the
superintendent, it has caused a delay. Bill will check with the school committee. Board of Selectmen and
Finance Committee are in support of the policies.
Update from Town Manaaer
Bill Ross has put together a list of FY14 and FY15 "To Do List" and will be updating the list monthly as to
the progress or completion of items on the list.
Bill Ross put together a list of FY 15 capital project requests and funding. This also will be updated on a
monthly basis on progress on projects. He will also add a column for how much was spent on each project.
DPW will be taking over control for projects at the school. The DPW is more educated on these types of
projects.
Chipsealing is complete. Maple Street has a temporary paving and in the spring the final paving will be
4one. It will be a much better finish.
l
Department of Revenue should be here the first week in October.
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Finance Committee Meeting September 1 1, 2014
Drafting of Calendar Leading up to Town Meeting
mane Committee Meeting every other week.
Review of Minutes ,
Motion: To approve minutes of July 10, 2014.
(Feely /O'Brien); Bazinet abstains; All in Favor; 5 -0 -1
Roll Cali Vote: O'Brien aye; Feely aye; Christo aye; Wilk aye, Schoonveld aye
Motion: To approve minutes of August 7, 2014.
(Wilk/Feely); Christo abstains; All in Favor; 5 -0 -1
Roll Call Vote: O'Brien aye; Bazinet aye; Feely aye; Wilk aye, Schoonveld aye
December 12' 2013 minutes to review after Jim Bazinet submits edits.
Member Comments and Updates
Jim Bazinet handed out am exposure draft titled "Definition of Internal Control" and will be discussed at
next meeting.
None
Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn at 9:45 PM
(Feely /O'Brien); All in Favor; 6 -0 -0
Roll Call Vote: O'Brien aye; Bazinet aye; Feely aye; Christo aye; Wilk aye, Schoonveld aye
to /a /l1
Clerk Sig#ature and date
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Finance Committee Meeting September 11, 2014