HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_03.21.02 FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 21,2002
ATTENDANCE: Members present: Bernice Fink,Vice Chairman,Stephen Dawe;Keith Mitchell;Paula Porten;Paul
Stewart;Jack Watkins;Mark Weber
Members not present: Michael Garron
Also present: Finance Director Chuck Benevento;Heidi Griffin,CD&S Director;Rick Gorman,Youth Services Director; Sue .
Ellen Holmes,Director, Stevens Memorial Library;Jim Cassidy,Elder Services;Ed Mitchell,Veterans Agent; Sandy Starr,
Health Services Director.
CALL TO ORDER: Bernice Fink called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Keith Mitchell made a MOTION,seconded by Paul Stewart to approve the minutes of March 7,2002 as amended. Vote
approved 7—0.
NEW BUSINESS
FY03 Community Development and Services Operating Budget Presentations
Youth Services: Rick Gorman said that the only place to cut costs to get to the 5%reduction is in Special Programs. In order
to put back the S8.2K that was taken out of the budget,he will have to raise the fees on the Special Programs. There is
currently$100.OK in the revolving fund,but$82.0 is already marked for summer programs. The$47.8K added to part time
wages is for a transfer from DPW for lifeguards.
Lib,ra_„�r :� Sue Ellen Holmes said that in order to get to the 5%cut,she had to reduce her budget by$5.OK. Because the State
mandates that the Library budget must increase over 2.5%,the$5.0K must go back,otherwise the Library will lose
certification and will not receive S30.0K to$32.OK from the State. She requested that the$5.OK be put back in the budget.
Health Dent: Sandy Starr said that she had to cut$7.OK out of Other Purchased Supplies. The money was to be used to hire
the services of a Sealer of Weights and Measures. She said that State law mandates that towns with a population of over 5,000
in population must appoint a local inspector. She requested that the$7.OK be put back in the budget.
Responding to Paul Stewart's inquiry regarding the cost of joining the Mosquito Control District,she said that last year it cost
$78.0K. She was reasonably sure that this year the cost will be$75.OK. The funding is currently in Capital and Reserves,but
it will eventually be assessed on the Cherry Sheet.
Elder Services: Jim Cassidy spoke for Kathleen Gorman,who could not attend. He said that the$7.5K cut from the Senior
Tax Abatement Relief was to give$500 to the fifteen poorest residents in Town. These residents volunteer part time in the
Senior Center and other departments as their way of paying back the abatement. If they do not receive the$500,they could
possibly lose their homes. He also mentioned that the$2.7K cut from Outside Professional Services was for seniors with
mental health problems.
Veterans Services: Ed Mitchell said that he requested$60.OK under Veterans Benefits,but without an override it is being cut
to$40.OK.. The$60.0 would only cover minimal outreaching. Benefits include assistance for unemployment,funeral
expenses,medical expenses and financial assistance. It also covers widows of veterans. The State reimburses 75%of the
benefits for wartime veterans. If there is no money left in the budget,the State will pay and charge the Cherry Sheet next year.
He estimates that there are approximately 2,700 veterans in Town. He said that Boxford pays 26%of his salary and some other
line items. $11.OK is in Revenues under Veterans Benefits.
OLD BUSINESS
Finance Committee Structure
• Status quo drafts completed by neat Thursday
• Enterprise Funds by next Thursday
• Paul Stewart volunteered to do the cover letter for the warrant
• Chuck Benevento will get the School's correct indirect costs for FY03
• Suggestion made to use the presentation from the Town Meeting
• Suggestion to put State Aid vs.Town contribution standard payments in Warrant
Budtet Discussions
Paul Stewart distributed his "Build a Budget"spreadsheet and explained the different scenarios. The committee reviewed and
discussed the different options. They agreed to have Bernice Fink's figures incorporated into the spreadsheet and to review it
again next week_
Mark Weber distributed and explained a report on the Comparison of No.Andover's Tax Rate to those of all other Mass.
Communities. He also distributed and explained his report on School Budget Manipulation.
Bernice distributed and explained her report on High School Bonding Issues.
The committee had a lengthy discussion on the whether or not students receive a better education based on the amount of
funding given to the schools.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business,Keith Mitchell made a MOTION, seconded by Stephen Dawes to adjourn the meeting
at 9:30 p.m. Vote approved 7—0.
Submitted by:Carol Ritchie, Sr.Confidential Clerk