TOWN OF MANSFIELD

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

 

MINUTES OF APRIL 14, 2008

 

 

Present:   Committee members - Carl Schaefer (Chair), Bruce Clouette, Alison Blair ,

    Council members – Helen Koehn,

    Staff members - Matt Hart, Cherie Trahan, Maria Capriola

    Guests – none in attendance

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

We began with the approval of the minutes of the March 10, 2008 Finance Committee meeting. 

 

The UCONN Water/Sewer Fund proposed 07/08 budget was discussed.  Cherie noted that there was a significant increase in the water & sewer rates by UCONN.  The new rates increased by 51%.  In addition, Holinko Estates showed a much larger increase than the other customers.  It is our understanding that there were meter problems for many years.  Wrights Village A and Wrights Village B have separate meters.  However, the Senior Center’s water is included in Wrights A meter.  Therefore, when the billings come in from UCONN, the finance office allocates 22% of the charge to Wright’s A for the Senior Center. The Town of Mansfield pays the water & sewer charges for the Senior Center.  The Finance Committee voted on recommending acceptance of this budget by the Town Council.

 

The Willimantic Sewer Fund proposed 07/08 budget was also discussed.  There has been an increase in this fund as well due to an increase in legal fees related to a possible lawsuit with the Town of Windham.  The Finance Committee voted on recommending acceptance of this budget by the Town Council.

 

The Finance Committee discussed the presentation for the Public Information Session on May 7, 2008.  To be included would be a brief discussion on the Board of Education budget and therefore, it would be appropriate to request that members of the Mansfield Board of Education be in attendance. 

 

Finally, the materials & presentation at the Town Meeting on May 13, 2008 were discussed.  Staff members need to be available to assist the public with the motions they may choose to make.   The only three budgets that are to be acted on at the Town Meeting are the General Fund, the Capital Fund and the Capital Nonrecurring Reserve Fund.  It was requested that the original Proposed Budget (in detail form) be updated to reflect the Council Adopted budget and be put on the web.  

 

 

Motions:

 

Motion was made by Bruce Clouette and seconded by Alison Blair to accept the March 10, 2008 minutes.  Motion so passed.

 

Motion was made by Bruce Clouette and seconded by Alison Blair to recommend acceptance of the UCONN Water/Sewer Budget for 07/08 by the Town Council .  Motion so passed.

 

Motion was made by Bruce Clouette and seconded by Alison Blair to recommend acceptance of the Willimantic Sewer Budget for 07/08 by the Town Council .  Motion so passed.

 

Motion was made by Alison Blair and seconded by Bruce Clouette to adjourn.  Motion passed.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Cherie Trahan

Controller/Treasurer