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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 01/19/1999Minutes of January 19, 1999 FINANCE COMMITTEE_ MEETING Present: James Noris, Chairman Joseph Cutillo, Jr. Andy Gazzolo Dennis Grady Amos Robinson, Selectman Arthur O'Neill, Police Chief GENERAL DISCUSSION Police Budget Gerald St. Hilaire Margie McShane Frank DelVecehio John D'Agostino, Town Manager Shirley MacPhee, Finance Team Edward Sliney, Fire Chief Mr. O'Neill presented the Police Department's budget requests. He stated that the Quinn Bill was responsible for the increases in personnel services. Police Officers receive 10% for an associates degree, 20% for a bachelors degree and 25% for a masters degree in FY'2000. Currently there are 3 employees with a masters degree, 3 with a bachelors degree, and 13 with associates degrees. Mr. Gazzolo inquired if the budget included funding for any new personnel. Mr. O'Neill stated _that there were no new positions. Mr. O'Neill stated that in the past 4 replacement vehicles had been funded_ per. year, but only 2 had been funded in FY 1999. Therefore, 6 vehicles need to be replaced in FY'2000. Mr. D'Agostino stated that Great Woods presently pays rental fees of $50/vehicle/night during concerts. This money however it is not legal to put these funds into a revolving fund help in replacing the vehicles and it currently goes to the general fund. Mr. O'Neill stated that he Great Woods had purchased vehicles in the past for Mansfield in exchange for a rental fee waiver. Mr. D'Agostino stated that this would be an option if presented in the form of a gift from Great Woods. Mr. O'Neill stated he feels this is a good option to replace the prisoner transport vehicle with the permission of the Board of Selectmen. This will be discussed in the future with the Selectmen and if they approved this then the cost of that vehicle would be deducted from his budget. Mr. Gazzolo stated that in the past the Town had a vehicle replacement policy for vehicles with mileage over 100,000. Mr. St. Hilaire stated that 4 new vehicles had been purchased previously for $93,000 and now the Police Department is requesting e $193,000 for 6 vehicles. He inquired why there was such a large increase for 2 additional vehicles. Mr. O'Neill stated that one of the vehicles was a prisoner transport vehicle and another was an Explorer for the supervisor. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Mr. Grady inquired why the rental fees are not raised in order to make more revenue and a profit for the Town. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the Town is not a leasing company. Mr. O'Neill stated that he felt it would be more prudent to have Great Woods gift the vehicle in exchange for a fee waiver that would be negotiated and agreed upon by the Town and Great Woods. Mr. O'Neill stated that he recalled the fees being.waived for a 3 year period in the past. The Town could resume charging the feesatthe end of the 3 years, or have Great Woods gift another vehicle if needed at that time. Mr. Noris stated that if you remove the Quinn Bill and the vehicles from the Police budget, there is still an 11% increase in the budget. Mr. O'Neill stated that the increase was due to adding in the overtime amount that had been cut during the budget process for the current budget. He stated that the 12% increase in the secretarial line item was due to a 9% increase for thefull time clerk and 39/6 for the part time clerk as well as an increase that was given to the part time clerk in this fiscal year that was not budgeted. Mr. Noris inquired about the large increase in line item 5241 Rep. Bldg, Mr. O'Neill stated that was due to the fact that only, one heater is working right now. The other needs extensive work. He stated he had just recently found out that the whole unit may need to be replaced. Mr. St. Hilaire stated that if that was the case then that cost - should be moved to a capital outlay account. Mr. O'Neill stated he would be getting quotes for the work needed. Ms. McShane inquired about the 25% increase in line item 5212 electricity when the current budget is only expended 50%, which should indicate proper funding. Mr. O'Neill stated that the figures were estimates due to the fact that the Police have not occupied the whole building for a full year. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired why the current budget is projected not to be overexpended and increases have been requested for many line items. Ms. McShane inquired about the phone line costs. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the increase was due to the cuts made to the current budget, this line item was underfunded. Mr. DelVecchio inquired about what scheduled overtime and unscheduled overtime were for. Mr. O'Neill stated that scheduled overtime is for expected things such as court time, vacation time coverage, sick time coverage, etc... Unscheduled overtime is for unexpected overtime such as accidents, storms, etc... Mr. Cutillo inquired if it were possible to rearrange the schedule so that overtime would not have to be paid when personnel are out on vacation. Mr. O'Neill stated that they would still have to borrow personnel from another shift and that would leave that shift short. Mr. Gozzolo inquired about the large increase in line item 5195. Mr. Noris stated that was funding for the Quinn Bill and that $53,000 of it is offset on the cherry sheet. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired if the budget provides adequate public safety and safety for the employees. Mr. O'Neill stated that it does, but ideally he wouldlike to add more officers to the force and may need to in the future. FINANCE COMMITTEE. MEETIN Dispatch Budget Ms. McShane inquired about the increase of 9% in personnel services 5116. Mr. O'Neill stated that 5 of the dispatchers are eligible for contractual step increases this year. Mr. Noris thanked Mr. O'Neill for his presentation. and. stated that with the overall Town budget exceeding proposition 2-1/2, that cuts will need to be done throughout. Fire Budget Chief Sliney present the Fire Department's budget. He stated that this budget was at bare minimum but still able to ensure the department operates safely. He stated that he is constantly looking for ways to cut back and respond to calls in an efficient manner. Mr. Sliney stated that currently there is no grant money available. He stated that the increases in the salary line items are contractual. He stated that the sick leave buy-back is a separate line item now. Mr. Grady inquired if. the sick leave buy- back was in the current budget. Mr. Slineystated it was not due to cuts made at budget time last year, however it does appear -as a warrant article for theupcoming Town Meeting. Mr. Noris stated that the $25, 000 for the. sick buy-back was on the. warrant.. What is the other $30,000 requests: Mr. Sliney stated that $10,000 was for a Safe program with the Schools. This had previously been funded by grant money, but those funds have been exhausted. Mr. Noris also. inquired.what would happen if..the $45,00.0 is not funded at Town Meeting. Mr. Sliney stated thathewould have requested a reserve fund transfer. EMT Budget Ms. McShane inquired if additional personnel had been added, there is an 11% increase in line item 5117. Mr. Sliney stated no additional personnel were added, the increase is due to contractual step increases and education stipends. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired does the budget provide for safety to the public and fire personnel. Mr. Sliney stated it does at a bare minimum. Mr. St_ Hilaire inquired about what changes would be made to budget if abler Mr. Sliney stated that a 7 man shift would be ideal. This would increase the budget by approximately $70,000 and would increase the scheduled overtime. Mr. St. Hilaire inquired how many emergency calls turn out to be legitimate. Mr. Sliney stated that there are calls that they have to respond to that are not necessary, however to assess situations over the phone can be dangerous because we do not know the circumstances. Mr. Sliney stated that he feels the department may be able to cut down on some of these calls by implementing the program with the Schools, which would educate the public on who to call in different situations. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Mr. Noris thanked Mr. Sliney for his presentation. of the Fire budget. He stated that the Towns budget was over proposition 2-1/2 and cuts may need to be made. Charter Revision MOTION: To not support the Charter Revision. All in favor. PASSES. Mr. Noris stated that he was not in favor of a Chief. Financial Officer, not in favor of FINCOM not being in charge of reserve fund transfers and having the budget taken away from the Town Manager and made the Selectmen's budget. Special Town Meeting Articles Ms. McShane stated that she did not agree with the way expense items took precedence over salary line items. That there needs to be fiscal responsibility. Mr. Grady inquired what an overlay reserve account was. Mr. D'Agostina-stated that it was money that is set aside for abatements, litigation tax variance, etc... Once the assessors know how much will actually be needed, they vote to release the money and it is put into the overlay reserve account and eventually goes to free cash. There is currently $178,000 in the account. Mr. St. Hilaire stated that he would support the Town Manager's budget. Cuts are a management issue, that FINCOM could help the Town Manager by making suggestions of areas to cut. Mr. Noris stated that they should work together with the Town Manager. MOTION: To support Article 1. 5 in favor. Margie McShane opposed. PASSES. MOTION: To support Article 2. All in favor. Article PASSES. MOTION: To support Article 3. All in favor. Article PASSES. MOTION: To support Article 4. All in favor. Article PASSES. V FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Discussion of Article 5: Mr. D'Agostino stated that there might be a couple of options for this article. He had a check from M1IA that he could apply to lower the balance and that the company offered to cut $20,000 per year from the cost if the Town would renew the contract for another 3 years. Mr. Noris stated that he would suggest paying the balance of this year, applying the check balance and go out to bid for next year. Mr. Grady suggested hiring an insurance broker to collect the necessary information and handle the bidding for the Town. Mr. DelVecchio inquired why -the line item had been underfunded in the past. Mr. D Agostino stated that fundinghadbeen taken from other line items in the past. MOTION: To support Article 5, less the dividend check. All in favor. Article PASSES. Discussion of Article 6: Mr. D'Agostino stated that the additional money needed for legal fees were due to the ongoing Morse property suit. Mr. Noris statedhewould.like the breakdown of fees. Mr. D'Agostino stated that they had been requested from the Mr. Dalton already and that if he did not providethebreakdown, the article would be removed. MOTION: To support Article 6. 5 in favor. Margie McShane opposed. Article PASSES. 26,. 1999; 7 p.m. Da of Approval --