HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCMeetingMinutes_10.28.04 Town of North Andover
Finance Committee Minutes
October 28, 2404
ATTENDANCE:
Finance Committee: Jack Watkins, Chair; Keith Mitchell, Vice Chair; Mike Batsimm;
Melinda Coppa; Steve Dawe; B Fink; Mark Nichols; and Paul Stewart.
CALL TO ORDER: Jack called the meeting to order at 6:3 5 p.m.
MINUTES:
September 23: After a brief discussion and some suggested changes, B MOVED to
accept the minutes as amended. Mark SECONDED the motion. The
vote was unanimous,with Paul abstaining.
October 14: After a brief discussion, B MOVED to accept the minutes as written.
Mark SECONDED the motion. The vote was unanimous, with Keith
and Mike abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS:
Revenue/Fixed
Costs Adv. Comm.: The Revenue/Fixed Costs Advisory Committee is to meet on November
15 and give a first cut at the budget calendar. They are due to report to
the Town Manager and all other interested parties by December 3 0. The
Committee is comprised of Mark Nichols and Paul Stewart of the
Finance Committee, Superintendent Harry Harutunian, Town Accountant
Lyne Savage,Town Manager Mark Rees, and the Town Finance Director
(currently vacant).
Recycling Update: Paul reported that the Solid Waste Action Committee(S WAC)presented
materials to the Board of Selectmen, which will be mailed out for three
months with water bills. The new policies will be effective January
2005.
Free Cash: Jack distributed a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue,
stating that the Town's free cash had been certified at $1,487,260. The
Committee asked Jack to request from the Town Manager 1) a schedule
showing the calculation of free cash, and 2) the amount of new growth
for Fiscal Year 2004. A brief conversation followed regarding a
financial policy for free cash use.
Financial Policies: The Committee discussed the topic of financial policy, including some
debate over past policies, the need for a Committee comprised of
members of all Town Boards and the Town Manager and School
Superintendent to review and change policies. The FinCom's financial
policy committee (B, Keith, and Mark), will meet to further discuss the
matter. Melinda offered to join them in their efforts.
October 28,2004
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New Finance
Director: The Finance Director Search Committee (Jack Watkins, Selectman Jim
Xenakis, and Asst. Town Manager Ray Santilli) is in the process of
reviewing and meeting with several candidates, including three with
strong municipal experience. There are three interviews scheduled but
not yet done.
MMA Annual
FinCom Meeting: The Finance Committee has been invited to the Mass. Municipal
Association's Annual Meeting of Town Finance Committees, on
Saturday, November 13. Jack encouraged all interested members to
attend.
School Liaison
Committee: Steve, Paul, and Melinda met with School Superintendent Harry
Harutunian on Thursday for an extended meeting about school issues.
Harry laid out some of his long-terra vision for the direction of the
school district, although there were questions about the achievability of
the vision, due to financial restrictions. He also discussed the issue of
Foster Farm School, and acknowledged that the School won't be built
anytime soon if the requirement to reach 1915 elementary school
students remains. However, he believes he needs the new school to
replace old schools and for more efficient operation, and that he plans to
approach the Town in the next few years with this proposal. The Town
will lose its place in the SBA reimbursement queue if we don't break
ground by 2008. He further believes that redistricting is not the solution
in the short-term, stating that it typically takes two years and some
significant open classroom space to be effective.
CIP: A discussion ensued regarding the CIP budget. Jack distributed a
handout, with recommendations from FinCom members "regurgitated."
It was expressed that the FinCom should be the committee that explains
to voters what is going on in with Capital Items, including a meaningful
discussion of items scheduled for future years. There was a proposal to
split the CIP budget into two pieces: 1) "housekeeping" or recurring
items, such as new police cruisers, and 2) big capital projects such as
buildings and large renovations. There was also a proposal to include an
actual "Plan"in the CIP planning book, as opposed to its current state, as
a data book or"shopping list." It was also expressed that the Plan needs
to be more user-friendly.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday,November 180' at 6:30 p.m.
in the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Melinda MOVED to adjourn the
meeting. Keith SECONDED the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Time of adjournment: 8:20 p.m.
Michael Batsimm, Secretary
October 28,2004
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