HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 02/09/1991TOWN OF MANSFIELD FINANCE COMMITTEE ?_!
Minutes of Finance Committee Meeting 1I A. RR I f H E`; 25
Held on February 9, 1991 -En
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Pursuant to notice duly posted in accordance with the
Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, a meeting of the Mansfield
Finance Committee was held on February 9, 1991 at 8:00 a.m. at
the Mansfield Town Hall. Present at the meeting were Charles
Joseph, Chairman, Joseph Pasquale, Gordon Penman, Ed McQuaid,
Barbara Hagg, Philip Smith and Robert Lynch. Also in attendance
throughout the meeting were William Williams, the new Town
Manager Select, Joan Cutillo, Acting Town Manager, Lawrence
Gallagher, Town Accountant and various members of the Board of
Selectmen throughout the day as their schedules permitted. The
purpose of this meeting was to meet with various department heads
similar to the meetings that were held on January 26, 1991 to
complete the review of the proposed budgets of the various
municipal departments for Fiscal Year 1992.
The Committee first met with Police Chief Jesse Earls. Mr.
Earls was requesting two additional officers and one part-time
clerk. The additional costs of these personnel would be
approximately $70,000, which Mr. Earls believed to be partially
offset by overtime savings of approximately $35,000. Mr. Earls
was asked to due a further analysis of the overtime savings if
only one officer were added. The Committee next discussed the
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pending certification process in which the Police Department is
engaged including its status and anticipated costs in the future.
Mr. Earls was asked to report back to the Committee with a more
detailed analysis of the long-term costs of the certification
process.
Ed Sliney, Fire Chief, next met with the Committee. The
primary area of discussion was the need for a new ambulance. The
Committee requested Mr. Sliney to undertake an analysis of the
Possibility of repairing the existing ambulance in order to gain
one more year's service. Mr. Sliney also brought to the
Committee's attention the need for a radio for the Department's
new truck, which would cost approximately $3,200.
The Committee next met with Robert Button in connection with
the Civil Defense budget.
The Committee then reviewed the Building Inspector's budget
and the potential need to bid inspectional services in light of
the amount of fees the new school construction would generate.
Upon motion of Mr. Penman, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it was moved
that the inspection positions be bid for the fiscal year
commencing July 1, 1991. These positions would include plumbing,
gas and electrical inspectors. After entering into the bidding
process, the situation could be better reviewed based upon the
bidding information. Upon further discussion, Mr. Penman and Mr.
Lynch elected to withdraw the motion in light of the fact that
the Selectmen are currently investigating the situation and may
be taking action soon.
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The Committee next met with Paul Folkman and Shirley McPhee
on behalf of the Board of Assessors. The Committee discussed
with Mr. Folkman and Ms. McPhee the possibility of changing to a
quarterly tax billing and the possibility of fronting the
expenses in order to be able to do so by July 1, 1991 if approved
by the Town meeting. The Committee then discussed the overlay
account, allowance for abatements and the need for a mini -
revaluation.
The Committee then met with Judy Scott to discuss the Town
Clerk's budget and Lawrence Gallagher to discuss the Town
Accountant's budget. Joan Cutillo then discussed the various
aspects of the Treasurer's budget including the budgets for
collection, data processing, debt service, employee benefits,
insurance, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and Boards and
Commissions. The Committee held some discussion with the need to
properly reflect legal fees in the budget of the department
incurring the costs. The Committee also discussed its support
for putting a special article on the Town Warrant to permit
quarterly billing for taxes.
The Committee was advised that its next meeting would be on
February 19, 1991.
There being no further business, upon motion duly made and
seconded, it was unanimously:
VOTED: To adjourn.
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Gordon R. `Venm4n Secretary