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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm. 10/12/2017RECEIVED CLERKS OFFICE Finance Committee Meeting Minutes October 12, 2017 1818 MAY I b P 4: l b Present: Walter Wilk, Chairman John S. Feely, Vice Chairman Michael O'Brien, Member Michael DeSamis, Member . Liz Christo, Member Brian Eagle, Member Yogen Chemburkar; Member P hNSFIELO MASSACHUSETTS Also Present: . John Stanbrook Teresa Murphy Ed Donahue Matt Jax Minutes Clerk: Christopher P. Walsh 1. Call the Finance Committee meeting to order and review the agenda Mr. Wilk called meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 2. Approve prior Finance Committee meeting minutes Will be held off for a future time. Super intendent Mrs. Murphy was introduced along with Mr. Donahue and Mr, Jax. Mr. Donahue mentioned putting a timeline together with budget subcommittee to present to the finance committee members. Mr. Wilk mentioned meeting together to see what new business is like when budgets (including school budget subcommittee) are put together. Mrs. Murphy mentioned a workshop meeting next Tuesday. Mrs. Murphy brought up declining enrollment in schools. Mrs. Murphy brought up capital improvement projects and the problems with them over the past few years (overrun, delays, etc). Mr. Jax mentioned bringing in a new vision to getting the capital improvement projects done sooner within a 3-5 year span and pitfalls that may be faced (i.e. parking lots). Mr. Donahue mentioned the following: Wi-Fi project is going to be closed out. Ongoing/completed projects are (progress in parenthesis): switch gear, JJ window replacement, JJ hot water pump, steam study at QMS, Robinson carpentile and bathrooms, QMS elevator (completed), bleacher project, 8"' grade lockers (completed), district wi-fi and.approval of e -rate funding (wiring to start in November), electrical panels, technology, food service equipment, sped bus, and QMS 6th grade lockers. 3. Transfers Motion: Transfer $20,000 from General Fund Reserve Fund to General Fund Town Clerk Other Expenses Specialized Services (DeSantis/Feely). Passes 7-0. Motion: Transfer $52,000 from General Fund Reserve Fund to General Fund DPW Public Buildings Other Expenses Engineering/Architectural Services (Wilk/DeSantis). Passes 7-0. 4. Board of Selectmen request for Finance Committee to attend October 18th meeting to discuss tax rate and related matters Mr. Wilk mentioned that board wanted general primer on tax rate. Mr. Wilk brought a document that explains tax rates (i.e. why 2.5% might not mean 2.5% to another individual). Mr. Eagle brought up Westborough analysis of new growth. Mr. Wilk brought up Mansfield's new growth. The discussion covered what went into the tax rate limit and what the split should be or should there be a split at all. The discussion covered the incoming town manager/new board of selectmen and the need to be patient about a plan. The discussion then covered the same document that explains fluctuations in a person's tax. Mr. Wilk mentioned competing against the other towns to benchmark against (Westborough). Mr. Wilk said he would like to use the state DLR document explaining levy limits and proposition 2 %z and the Westborough memo on Proposition 2 %2 and forward them to the board of selectmen (to put the documents out). The Finance Committee unanimously agreed that the split between commercial and residential tax rates should stay the same for the upcoming fiscal year to allow for a town manager and 51 Selectman to come on board and a more robust conversation to be held on the town direction. 5. Update on coordinating with other town departments, committees and regional groups to promote potential sources of future town revenue Mr. Wilk mentioned driving higher tax densities. Mr. Wilk mentioned not just increasing taxes on businesses, but increasing the value of property investments (and simultaneously keeping tax rates down for residents). Mr. Wilk mentioned not getting high density office space or hotel that would drive additional revenue in town (without increasing taxes on people). Mr. Eagle mentioned these sources of revenue hinge on the new town manager again. Mr. DeSantis brought attention to the discussion memorandum, and how Mansfield can emulate competing cities and towns to attract tax paying companies to its community. Mr. DeSantis brought up how Foxboro has a town planner to help commercial businesses through the maze of various town departments (and thus make business desirable in Foxboro). Mr. DeSantis then went over discussion questions, like companies Mansfield wants to attract, the advantages of Mansfield, who solicits companies on behalf of Mansfield (no one), etc. The discussion concerned whether the location (RTS 95&495) "sells" Mansfield or if a cultural change is needed. Mr. DeSantis suggested setting down strategies (i.e. stabilize tax base) and timeline to send to the selectmen. Mr. Feely brought up how we can get people on board and the challenge of getting a positive vote (i.e. DPW building). Mr. DeSantis suggested meeting with Kara Griffin, the Executive Director of the Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce. Getting new businesses in requires knowledge of the town (its rules and regulations). Mr. Wilk believed we should bring Kara in for the next meeting. Mr. Wilk said they'll send emails to Mr. DeSantis covering questions to be asked. 6. Board Updates (CIP, Audit, Budget, School Committee, DPW/Public Safety Complex, Health Insurance, Downtown Strategy Committee) CIP: Mr. Feely said meeting was last night and schedule is set. Audit: Mr. DeSantis said meeting was last night. Jim was reptacea. mectricai cmupaiiy �a.,,� ..1 and gave a draft that will be sent out next month. Another meeting will be held in the summer. Budget: ,Not covered School: Already covered DPW/Public Safety Complex: Moving along Health Insurance: Nothing new. Meeting is being scheduled Downtown Strategy Committee: Extending the bike -path and parking lots behind Jimmy's. Discussion will be held on green space. Mr. Wilk hopes to get restaurant owners in and talk about parking lot (should it be parking or green space). 7 Review upcoming Finance Committee meeting dates I November 16 and December 14 are next meetings. The standard number is the 31 Thursday of the month. Mr. Eagle mentioned starting 31 Thursday in January. 8 Items not known within 48 hours None 9. Audience None 10 Committee member comments None Motion: Mr. Wilk adjourned the October 12, 2017 meeting at 9:07 pm (Wilk/Feely). Passes 7-0. -RJA/1 Le