Town Manager Proposes Balanced Budget for FY2014

Bearing any late changes, a balanced town budget will be voted on by the town at the annual town meeting to be held on May 7.

Presented by Bill Ross at a public hearing this week along with the school budget, the $79.1 million town budget eliminates a deficit of $871,658 despite less than expected funding from the state.

To balance the budget, several cuts were made including $30,000 to repair the north common flag, a $50,000 decrease in the public building budget, and the decision to delay the demolition of a Shawmut Ave building that would of costs the town $430,000.

The town also benefited from an increase in tax revenue of $500,000 including more than expected revenue from the hotel and meals taxes.

“The hotel and meals tax are running about $100,000 above our estimations,” Ross said.

“We’re seeing more activity in that area and Mansfield is becoming more popular.” There was also some savings from the town’s recent bond upgrade from A to AA according to Ross. At town hall, the only new hire requested was for a human resources professional. Ross said he believes Mansfield might be one of the few remaining towns of similar size that does not have someone who specializes in HR.

Capital improvement items added to the budget include a much needed upgrade to the town wide phone system, costing $425,000. The new system will operate on the town’s fiber optics line that connect to the majority of town buildings and offices.

“They (the phones) range from woefully inadequate to just getting by,” Ross said.

The DPW will also hope to get a new snow sidewalk blower to replace one that broke during the February snow storm for $165,000 along with three 4x4 pickups ranging from $32,000 - $55,000 per vehicle, and a brush tractor for $125,000.

Repair items include improvements to the library for $117,000, town hall improvements for $216,000, repairs to the Memorial Park tennis courts for $30,000, repairs for the state vents at both the high school and middle school for $100,000, and repairs for the high school gym floor for $270,000.

There is also $61,000 for a fire squad, $49,000 for improvements to the Plymouth St. fire station, and 90,000 for fire turnout gear.

The total costs for capital improvements will be $4.3 million with 1.8 million coming from free cash. An addition $500,000 from free cash will be placed into the stabilization fund.

The use of free cash was done with the understanding there will be less free cash used in next year's budget.

To learn more about the budget, head over to the Town of Mansfield's official website.