HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 02/27/1986ro
TOWN OF MANSFIELD r 11I In
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING JUL 2 91986
FEBRUARY 27, 194' O
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Called to Order - by Chairman Ed McQuaid
PURPOSE 1) To consider transfers from the reserve fund.
2) To discuss with the School Committee, the school budget.
1. Transfer #14 - Paul Split has requested $4,565.85. As
previously discussed, the recreation department has or is
spending available funds on repairs due to vandalism.
Discussion - no-one questioned the validity of the
request; however, it was pointed out that we normally do
not transfer in anticipation of deficits. It was
suggested that we fund $2,300 and see how far that goes.
Motion to transfer $2,300 by K. Sullivan - second Bob
Whitney 5 to 0 in favor.
Transfer #15 - $1,275 to sod the outfield of a soft ball
field at Memorial Park. This is an unusual request which
under normal circumstances might be turned down. However,
Mansfield schools want to use it earlier than usual (there is
a reciprocal agreement for school gyms). The field would be
destroyed without sod. The Financial Committe's position was
that if it isn't done now we may run into more expensive
problems. Motion in favor Bob Whitney, second Fred Mueller.
Transfer #17 (There is no #16). Assistant inspectors fee's
$160. Motion to pay K. Sullivan, second John Pierce. 5 to 0
in favor. Reserve fund to date $84,840.88. Less transfers
#'s $14,1517 - 31735.00
Balance $815.8$
Attending - Robert Barbarisi; Joan Colella, James Grady and
B. Hampton.
The School Committee is requesting a 9.3% increase in their
budget. It should be noted that is "prior to wage
negotiations" which will be around another 6%.
Fully half of the $749,000 pre -wage settlement increase
centers around utility services, maintenance and equipment
replacement $415,000'. In addition, Barbarisi is funding 6
new positions (4 non teaching and two teaching) totalling
$90,000.
- 2 -
It was suggested to the superintendent that a 200% increase
in maintenance was way out of line. Barbarisi countered that
we were paying for past sins.
In addition, Barbarisi felt the towns people were not paying
enough, i.e., with an equalized valuation of $30,000.
Mansfield ,could and should tax more. Ed McQuaid pointed out
that a good 40% of this figure was made up of industrial
taxation: Who do not use the school services and after
classification may not want to pay more. Also, if you took
industry out, this figure residential was more like $18,000,
i.e., Barbarisi's figure was skewed. K. Sullivan pointed out
that the valuation figure represented the ability to tax not
the ability to pay.
There was much discussion which centered around State
statistics including the fact that Mansfield was closing in
on the state average of per pupil cost $2,565 to $2,739 and
that we would probably exceed the average.
The meeting ended on two notes:
1) The Finance Committee told the school that we would be
spending to cap and that they should be prepared to cut
their budget.
2) The School Committee invited the Finance Committee to
look at the various schools on 3/8/86. The Finance
Committee graciously accepted the invitation.
Meeting adjourned 11:30 PM
Clerk, K. Sullivan
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