Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town manager outlines override language, contracts, water payments and other updates
Summary
Town Manager Kevin briefed the Select Board on the override-warrant language required by state law, budget projections and outreach plans, and a series of contract and infrastructure updates at the Feb. 19 meeting.
Town Manager Kevin briefed the Mansfield Select Board on a series of finance and operations items at the Feb. 19 meeting, including the required override warrant language, contract negotiations, water-billing receipts, and infrastructure projects.
On the municipal budget and a possible override, Kevin said state law requires prescribed language in the town meeting warrant and cited Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, § 21C. He told the board the draft language will read similarly to: “Shall the Town of Mansfield be allowed to assess an additional approximate $2,000,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding the operational budgets for the town and public schools for the fiscal year beginning 07/01/2025. Yes or no?” The town manager said final language will be prepared in coordination with town counsel for consideration at a tri-board meeting scheduled for Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Community Room.
Kevin reported budget figures are largely known: the town’s active employee health insurance rate increase came in at 14.9% and retiree health insurance is at 19%. He said he has prepared a draft FAQ handout for public outreach on the override and that public information sessions will be scheduled in coordination with the budget subcommittee.
On contracts and service rates, Kevin said the town negotiated a three-year dental agreement with Altus Dental that reduces an expected 5% increase in fiscal 2026 to 3%, with subsequent increases projected at 4% (fiscal 2027) and 5% (fiscal 2028). He also reported progress on trash collection: the town’s contractor (Waste Management) has agreed to a three-year extension to fiscal 2030 at the same terms, including a 2.5% annual increase; disposal contracts administered through the regional consortium (transcript reference: "Willow Brater") expire in fiscal 2028 and the town is participating in consortium discussions on next steps.
Kevin provided updates on the Town’s water arrangements with the City of Attleboro: as of Jan. 24 Attleboro had paid Mansfield $198,707.81 covering expenses through that date; the next bill, for Jan. 25–Feb. 24 usage, was estimated at $62,000.
Infrastructure and public-safety communications work on Reservoir Street is underway with vendor Semrack; Kevin said required fiber work and equipment installation are expected to be complete in March, ahead of the 2025 concert season. He also reported the town has a red balance in the snow-and-ice account after the recent storm; the reported deficit through Feb. 18 is $38,788.67.
Other items noted included a forthcoming redlined draft of the Xfinity Center/Live Nation 2025 entertainment license for the board’s review and a $40,000 grant related to the Mansfield transit-oriented development effort, which the planning director will follow up on and which may lead to exploring district improvement financing.
Kevin said he will distribute final override-warrant language and continue scheduling public outreach sessions in advance of the warrant deadline on March 1.
