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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_02.14.02 FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 14,2002 ATTENDANCE: Members present: Michael Garron,Chairman;Bernice Fink,Vice Chairman, Stephen Dawe;Keith Mitchell;Paula Porten(7:15 pm);Paul Stewart;Jack Watkins;Mark Weber Also present: Charles Benevento,Director of Finance and Administration;Charles Salisbury,Town Moderator;Bill Hmurciak,DPW Director;Fire Chief William Dolan;Deputy Fire Chief Ed Morgan;Diane Huster, School Committee Member CALL TO ORDER: Michael Garron called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Town Moderator Charles Salisbury spoke to the Committee about the background and qualifications of the two new Finance Committee members. He addressed the difficult decisions that the committee will be making in the months to come.He also raised the question as to whether members of the Finance Committee who also serve on the Financial Task Force will be permitted to be part of the Finance Committee's recommendation of the Task Force's findings. This seems to be an open issue that should be researched or at least considered further at some point. Michael Garron introduced new members,Stephen Dawe and Mark Weber to the committee. The new members and the existing members each introduced themselves and gave a brief explanation of who they are. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: -No Minutes were approved NEW BUSINESS FY03CIP Presentation/Department of Public Works Public Works Director Bili Hmurciak explained the capital projects that are recommended in the Town Manager's FY03 C1P Budget: Project Title Amount of Proiect Comments D.P.W. Sweeper $105,000 Existing sweeper: 1994mode1,10,500 hrs. Dump Truck w/Sander 98,200 Existing truck: 1988 model,64,000 mi.,no sander 3/4 Ton Pickup 30,000 Existing truck: 1990 model, 100,000 mi.,very poor condition Roadway Improvements I99,896 Total cost: $592,130—scheduled for completion in FY07 Includes prioritized list of private roadways No Chapter 90 funding for private roadways. B.Fink recommended a one-time capital exclusion Recycle Truck 102,000 Existing truck: 1991 model, 105,000 miles—will keep as a spare Gang(Tractor)Mower 80,000 Existing tractor: 1989 John Deer Sidewalk Construction 80,400 Total cost: $179,800—scheduled for completion in FY07 Sewer Sewer System Improvements 100,000 Continuation of Private Inflow Removal Program Sewer System Ext./Watershed 988,000 Phase 4B—Lake Cochichewick Total Cost: 1,888,000 scheduled for completion in FY04 Water WTP&Andover 936,000 May be eligible for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program Interconnection Improvements Some projects are part of requirements of pending Water Management Act Permit. Water Main Rehab_ 790,000 Continuation of ongoing replacement of water main structure FY03 CTP Presentation/Fire Department Fire Chief William Dolan and Deputy Chief Ed Morgan explained the capital projects that are recommended in the Town Manager's FY03 CIP Budget: Proiect Title Amount of Proiect Comments Public Safety Tech. $194,073 * Shared public safety software system. Remaining '/2 of cost is in Police CIP *Incorrect Amount in Budget Book. Correct amount is$288,145 Annual cost of software support&maintenance is in Police pkg. SOBA Replacement 171,600 Planned upgrade of 1991 self-contained breathing apparatus Fire Station—Chief Dolan spoke to the committee about the possibility of pursuing the out-country station as a 2 concept station. The downtown station would go to an out-country station,which would free up the downtown station for Community Development. The third station would eventually be located at the new high school site. FY03 CIP/Stevens Estate Michael Garron spoke for Evy Gillette and Al Cullen,who could not attend the meeting: Proiect Title Amount of Proiect Comments Gatehouse Improvements $50,000 Request to remove project from FY03 funding due to lead paint. Main House Window RpI. 150,000 Money to be used for re-painting bricks Landscape Phase 3 62,598 $40,000 number given for gardens Downspouts* 85,000 *This project does not appear in Town Mgr.'s CTP Budget Book All projects are funded from Retained Earnings. FY03 CIP/School Dept. Michael Garron reported that the School Dept.intends to combine two projects,the Feasibility Study for New Elementary#1,scheduled for FY03 for$204,654,and the Architectural design project against the New Elementary School construction,scheduled for FY03 for$2,150,388.Bernice Fink said that they intend to submit article for the May Town Meeting. The Finance Director said that they still need SBA funding approval and felt that it would not speed up the process by combining the projects. Michael Garron also reported that the School Dept.plans to remove the Central Office Relocation project scheduled for FY03 in the amount of$150,000 and lease space rather than fund the relocation through GIP. OLD BUSINESS New High School BondingIssue The Finance Director handed out several graphs and charts comparing the total costs of Option A and Option C. Option A,the preferred option,has been in question by the School Department who felt that the interest was more costly than Option C. He concluded that there is little difference between the two options,and there is minimal impact to the taxpayers. The Selectmen will review the issue on Tuesday,February 19. Paula Porten volunteered to attend the meeting on behalf of the Finance Committee. OTHER Because the Town Manager's FY03 Operating Budget will not be ready for the Finance Committee's next meeting on February 21,the committee agreed to cancel the meeting. Instead,there will be a joint Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee on Monday,February 25 at 6:00 p-m.at the Stevens Memorial Library,at which time the Town Manager will present his budget. Paula Porten,the present liaison to Community Development,will split the Community Development departments with new members Stephen Dawe and Mark Weber. They will each take a role0 in writing the explanations for their respective departments in the Warrant. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,Jack Watkins made a MOTION,seconded by Mark Weber to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Vote approved 8—0.