HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 11/05/1985TOWN OF MANSFIELD
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING OEC 7 iy� d
NOVEMBER 5, 1985
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Called to Order - 7:30 PM by Chairman Ed McQuaid
Attendance - 7 members present as well as Town Manager Randy Wilson and
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Richard D'Onorfrio.
Purpose - 1) To consider transfer requests
2) To discuss and where possible to take preliminary
positions on the money articles contained in the special
town meeting called for November 16, 1985.
The Town Manager and the Chairman of the Selectmen
were present to advise the committee on the possible
impact of these articles.
1. Transfer Requests - Preliminary discussion on what constituted a transfer
request among the qualifications - 1. It must be an extraordinary
expense. 2. There can be no funds available in the departments account.
In addition to above discussion, it was acknowledged by D'onorfrio
that the Finance Committee controlled the reserve fund and that it was
traditional for both Board (Selectmen and Finance) to review such
requests.
This discussion was precipitated by Tom Markt observations that we
seem to be getting requests that do not fulfill the requirements. Wilson
and D'onorfrio expressed concern and agreed with the established criteria
and the need for departments to stay within their budgets.
Example of those requests:
1. Various departments notifying us that they were asking transfers
for advertising expenses.
Transfer request #2 -
To repay $445.20 for the printing of bylaws - The request was
disapproved 7 to 0.
Reason(s) - (1) I5t does not fulfill the definition of transfer
request.
Transfer #4 was withdrawn for the same reason.
The Town Manager - is going to look into why there is no
transfer #3.
Prior to the Town Articles, a motion was made by Steve Quinn to pay dues
of $110 to the Association of Finance Committee member. Seconded by
Mel Schwartz - passed 7 to 0.
REVIEW OF TOWN MEETING ARTICLES OF NOVEMBER 16, 1985
Article #1 -
Town Manager explained that this was a line item adjustment
because of testing etc. The overtime account was almost
depleted while the chemical feed expense was much smaller than
anticipated. Approximate amount of money which will be
transferred between line items $13,000.
F.C. Position - in favor.
Motion made by S. Quinn - Seconded by John Pierce - 7 to 0 in
favor.
Article #2 -
To transfer from available funds settlement by clerical
association. Discussion - when town can afford we must go along
with agreement. S. Quinn motion in favor. Second - Tom Markt -
7 to 0 in favor. Approximate money $5,000.
Article #3 -
To cover unpaid bills -
Specifically (1) the Water Department owes the Electric
Department approximately $30,000 (2) We owe $2,500 to a private
contractor for electrical work done.
Motion made by S. Quinn to favor $2,500 payment to outside
contractor - Second by K. Sullivan - in favor 7 to 0.,$n $30,000
owed by Water Department. No one knows why (i.e., Wilson or
D'Onorfrio) it was pointed out that it was a legal bill and
there were no real alternatives. Additional discussion centered
on what incentives there were for departments to stay within
budgets.
Article 3 was tabled for further discussion. S. Quinn - motion
- T. Markt, second - in favor 7 to 0.
Article #4 -
Increased liability insurance premium - approximately $50,000.
Observation made that as long as Town can afford it, we have
little option but to insure as opposed to self insuring.
Motion in favor, S. Quinn, second John Pierce - 7 to 0 in favor.
Article #5
Separate Town Engineer need s approximately $17,000 for
remainder of the year.
Town Manager pointed out what he thought of as the need. S.
Quinn and K. Sullivan spoke in favor of need for qualified
individual to deal with the almost run -away growth of the town.
In addition, it was pointed out that there could be a possible
savings in the use of consultants. Mr. Zanneski (resident)
pointed out that one man cannot be effective as D.P.W. and Town
Engineer, S. Quinn - motion in favor. Second - T. Markt - 7 to
0 in favor.
Article #6 - Hotel -Motel Tax -
D'onorfrio - pointed out that the Board was split 2-2 and 1 on
this. While it was chance to raise money, D'onorfrio feels -
that there is no demonstrated need to do this at this time and
that it is something we can always do.
-2 -
In a discussion led by S. Quinn it was pointed out that (1)
contrary to some opinions - tax revenue cannot be earmarked but
must go into a General Fund and that while there were no strong
feelings either way, that we could not, "not provide" at least
the opportunity to raise money.
S. Quinn - motion in favor.
Second E. McQuaid.
6 in favor - 1 abstentation.
At this point it was pointed out are have $63,000 in surplus.
Article #8+9 Tabled until Finance Committee meets with School Superintendent
Babarisi.
6 to 0 in favor.
1 abstentation (John Pierce)
Article #10+11 Professional Development Grants and EEOG Grants.
Apparently, there is no immediate cost to the Town although as
Mr. D'onorfrio points out eventually the State may pull out
and the Town may get stuck. However, the feeling is that we
should take advantage of these grants.
Motion in favor - S. Quinn.
Second K. Sullivan - 7 to 0 in favor.
Article #13 Minimum 5 man staffing for Fire Department.
Wilson and D'onorfrio feel the article is in violation of the
on-going negotiation. However, because of litigation they
were not free to discuss it.
There is a possibility the article may be illegal. The
Finance Committee feels that this is a money article and needs
a price tag. S. Quinn motioned to table pending legal opinion
from Town Council.
Second Mel Schwartz - 7 to 0 in favor.
Prior to adjourning it was pointed out that the Finance
Committee's positions were preliminary and that we would be
reconsidering the position prior to the November 16, 1985
meeting.
Motion to adjourn - 10:15 PM
S. Quinn - second - everyone - 7 to 0 in favor.
Kevin Sullivan, Clerk