HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 07/14/1986TOWN OF MANSFIELD
Finance Committee Meeting
7/14/86
7:00 p.m. meeting. Adjourned until 8:00 p.m. Three members present,
Chairman Ed McQuaid, three Selectmen and Town Manager.
Purpose
To consider transfers from the Reserve Fund.
The meeting opened with John Pierce explaining that to date $68,820.01
had been transferred from the Reserve Fund and that there was only $31,179.99
left; and with $39,281.50 in requests, someone would have to wait.
The Selectmen asked how we were going to determine a priority.
1. The Finance Committee stated that salary items would come first.
2. Kevin Sullivan moved that water expenses be considered last. The
reasoning behind this was that the Water Department was an enterprise
account and allegedly self-sustaining and it was an internal account
where some of the bills could be written off or carried over. After some
discussion, the motion was withdrawn.
Transfer numbers 68, 70 and 84 would be voted on first, since they
involved salaries. The rest would be dealt with as they came up.
Number 68 - Police Salaries - $16,826.95:
The only discussion on this was centered around the complete lack of
detail. Chief Earls explained that overtime, due to the hurricane, down town
project details and increased down town patrols contributed to this figure.
While the Finance Committee had no problem with this transfer, it was pointed
out that there was no detailed breakdown. Earls said he would provide it.
John Pierce moved to transfer, Kevin Sullivan second. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 70 - Parks and Recreation Payroll - $2,426.67:
The reason for this (according to Paul Split) was that he started the
summer program a week ahead of time.
This was considered unusual and by some Selectmen it was considered
unauthorized. However, Barbara Haig pointed out that the payroll had already
been paid and that it had to be paid within seven days of incural.
On that premise, we are legally obligated to pay. The Finance Committee
voted 4 to 0 in favor. Kevin Sullivan motioned, John Pierce second. The
Selectmen refused to sign.
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Number 84 - Dog Officer Expense - $282.00:
There was little or no discussion. The Dog Officer pays this out of his
own pocket and is reimbursed by the town. It is a -0- account. Kevin
Sullivan motioned, John Pierce second. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 61 - Parks Department Expense - $663.58:
This is a resubmittal. The resubmittal prompted much discussion by the
Selectmen. They were quite upset with Paul Split. Between the salary
transfer and this, they felt that Split was exceeding his authority.
There were some remarks passed by the Selectmen. It was pointed out that
this was not the forum for a personnel board. Based on the supposition that
this electrical expense was required by the Building Inspector and that the
money was a bill already incurred by the Town, the Finance Committee passed it
4 to 0. All three copies of the request were kept by the Town. Bob Whitney
motioned, Kevin Sullivan second.
Number 67 - Telephone Bill - $62.92:
Motion to pay John Pierce, second Kevin Sullivan. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 71 - Parks Expense - $3,990.71:
Apparently this is the amount not reimbursed by F.E.M.A. Motion to pay
Bob Whitney, second John Pierce. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 72 - Assistant Building Inspector - $560.00:
Motion to pay Kevin Sullivan, second John Pierce. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 74 - Public Building Expense - $166.05:
Maintenance expenses due to frozen pipes, electrical problems, etal.
Motion to pay Kevin Sullivan, second Bob Whitney. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 77 - Planning Board Expense - $424.03:
This too is a resubmittal for the reimbursement of secretarial
advertising and secretarial salaries.
It was pointed out to the Selectmen that if they wanted to criticize one
individual (Split) they should criticize all. The Planning Department knew
ahead of time that they needed a secretary and they were out of money. The
Planning Department said they didn't know they were out of money. We voted to
pay 4 to 0. Kevin Sullivan motioned, second Bob Whitney.
There ensued a lively discussion again on the apparent lack of department
head concern over budgets.
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This prompted Larry Harrington to say that he was going to try and devise
a monthly report by budget line so that the Finance Committee, among others,
would have a better handle on projecting future budgets and that department
heads would realize where they were with respect to expenditures.
Number 79 - Electrical Inspectors Fee - $1,140,43:
This account has been out of funds since November '85. Motion to pay
John Pierce, second Kevin Sullivan. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 80 - Gas Inspectors Fee - $1,675.38:
Same as number 79. Motion to pay Kevin Sullivan, second Bob Whitney. 4
to 0 in favor.
Number 81 - Highway Expense - $223.60:
Motion to pay Bob Whitney, second John Pierce. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 83 - Assistant Building Inspector - $80.00:
Motion to pay Kevin Sullivan, second John Pierce. 4 to 0 in favor.
Number 66 - $1,669.15:
This is a resubmittal by the Town Manager for his contracted car
allowance and deferred compensation. Randy dragged out his contract to show
that it was contracted for on a retroactive basis. The Finance Committee's
understanding was that the budgeted amount was to begin on 7/1/86 and that
there was a concern over the legality of this transfer. There was a motion to
pay by Bob Whitney and a second by Ed McQuaid. This failed 2 to 2. Upon
reconsideration, this was changed to 3 to 1 in favor and subsequently changed%o
unanimous,'
Status of Reserve Fund - $31,179.99
Less - 30,191.47
Reserve Remaining - 988.52
At this point it was decided that the Water Department bills, totalling
$9,394.40, should be held over as unpaid bills until the next Special or
Annual Town Meeting.
Prior to adjournment, John Pierce was elected as the next Chairman of the
Finance Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m.